debriefing

present participle of debrief
as in interrogating
to officially ask (someone) about a job that has been done or about an experience Police debriefed the hostages upon their return. The pilot was debriefed after his flight.

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of debriefing The final clip features Knoxville and Tremaine sitting on a motel bed, debriefing after a particularly dangerous stunt. — T.m. Brown, CNN Money, 26 June 2026 Since making their water landing, the three Americans and one Canadian who set out on the lunar journey have been busy, spending recent weeks reuniting with family, debriefing the mission and making media appearances – all while adapting to life back on Earth. — Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2026 Apart from debriefing after the trip to the winery, this was a big episode for dates. — Tom Smyth, Vulture, 13 Apr. 2026 Chapman, who worked long hours debriefing Marquez over the years and shepherded his grand jury testimony, grew emotional while talking about Marquez’s qualities as a wonky engineer who could talk endlessly about the inner workings of the ComEd’s electrical grid. — Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 19 Feb. 2026 Health care workers may dip into depression and substance abuse, and Rau seeks to counter that by debriefing his staff after tragedies and encouraging them to reach out to one another. — Andy Sheehan, CBS News, 29 Dec. 2025 For Morgan, making a video at the end of the day, debriefing all aspects of the long, grueling days of recruitment, was never going to be a polished piece of content. — Tabitha Parent, People.com, 2 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for debriefing
Verb
  • This self-interrogating method makes for a nervy, difficult style.
    — Langdon Hammer, New Yorker, 2 Nov. 2026
  • In addition, Homeland Security was apparently investigating nonprofits and other organizations that help get out the vote, including interrogating the staff and covertly infiltrating their operations, according to court documents.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • But the New Mexico secretary of state's office received reports of DOJ monitors asking unusual questions and questioning voters in Bernalillo County, which is home to Albuquerque.
    — Miles Parks, NPR, 4 Nov. 2026
  • Miller, who prosecuted the case back in 2004 and 2005, sent Fernandez Rundle texts questioning her office’s handling of the case and denigrating the judge presiding over Smith’s resentencing.
    — Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 4 Nov. 2026
Verb
  • Although not a complete accounting of workers in these offices, the Post ascertained their demographics and current statuses by examining organizational charts, professional profiles and social media.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 30 Oct. 2026
  • According to the University, Shao is examining the possibility of turning nuclear waste into a fuel using a thorium molten salt reactor under this project.
    — Muskan Bhatia, Interesting Engineering, 30 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Debriefing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/debriefing. Accessed 5 Nov. 2026.

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