INQUIRY Synonyms: 50 Similar and Opposite Words

inquiry

noun

in-ˈkwī(-ə)r-ē

Definition of inquiry

as in investigation

a systematic search for the truth or facts about something an inquiry into the origins of the universe

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in request

an act or instance of asking for information one student made a hesitant inquiry about the assignment

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 inquiry Most classes are private, which helps students feel comfortable with honest inquiries. — Katie Sweeney, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026 All applicants are subject to a soft credit inquiry, which does not impact credit scores. — Greta Cross, USA Today, 28 July 2026 Although the evidence for birding’s benefits continues to grow, more scientific inquiry is necessary. — The Conversation, Fortune, 27 July 2026 So, too, would inquiries into the billions that the president has amassed in the past two years. — James Robenalt, Vanity Fair, 27 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for inquiry

Recent Examples of Synonyms for inquiry

Noun

The federal agency closed its civil rights investigation in January 2025, days before President Joe Biden left office.

— Ben Wheeler, Kansas City Star, 30 July 2026
An investigation linked the tire jack to a vehicle driven by Dustin Kendall, 37, of New London, police said.

— Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 30 July 2026

Definition of investigation

Noun

Katrina Shadix, a 58-year-old anti-bear-hunt activist in the Orlando area, found out through a public-records request that the FWC accessed her DAVID information 17 times between 2023 and 2025.

— David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 25 July 2026
One of the tenant union’s requests was for the city to use the health department’s authority to make emergency repairs to the buildings and refrain from condemning the property.

— Dylan Lysen, Kansas City Star, 25 July 2026

Definition of request

Noun

Dharmendra Pradhan announced his resignation on Saturday, bowing to mounting pressure after tens of thousands of students and supporters took to the streets demanding his removal and sweeping reforms to India’s examination system.

— Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 25 July 2026
After a brief examination, Quinn recommended treatment with hand sanitizer applied into the ear canals during the visit and at home, according to a reprimand issued by the medical board July 16.

— Amber Gaudet, Charlotte Observer, 24 July 2026

Definition of examination

Noun

Police will answer questions about the shootings at a later news conference, likely next week, Garcia said.

— Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 July 2026
Phillips may no longer be the focus of the ethics inquiry, but he could still be asked to answer questions or supply documents as the committee determines if Collins violated any laws or rules.

— Tia Mitchell, AJC.com, 27 July 2026

Definition of question

Noun

The goal of the expedition is to raise money and awareness for his nonprofit, which is dedicated to Arctic climate research, marine science and exploration.

— Meredith Wilshere, PEOPLE, 26 July 2026
That’s on top of his regular exploration of galleries in New York, where the 25-year-old ICU nurse lives and studies.

— Mureji Fatunde-Iloeje, ArsTechnica, 25 July 2026

Definition of exploration

Noun

The article demonstrates how context can lead to vastly different, sometimes inappropriate, AI responses to the same query.

— Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 26 July 2026
Instead of opening individual apps to complete tasks, users can communicate naturally with DroiClaw through voice, keyboard input, images, documents, files, and real-time video queries.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 23 July 2026

Definition of query

Noun

By the end of his studies, Salakhutdinov recalled, Yang turned down a job offer from a senior Apple executive who reported directly to Tim Cook.

— John Liu, CNN Money, 24 July 2026
The study projected that, if the recommendations were implemented, they could be completed by 2020.

— Syra Ortiz-Blanes, Miami Herald, 24 July 2026

Definition of study

Noun

City councilors also pushed forward a probe to examine Boston Police Department staffing, retirements, forced overtime, recruitment strategies and more in April.

— Grace Zokovitch, Boston Herald, 27 July 2026
The groundwork laid by the rovers and other Mars orbiters, landers and probes could someday help humanity take its first steps on another planet.

— Brett Tingley, Space.com, 27 July 2026