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 With no legal requirement for OpenAI to share information, the nonprofit had little leverage to push for a broader inquiry. — Harry Booth, Time, 20 Oct. 2026 Frankenstein, in particular, is a vehicle for a wide span of inquiry. — Maria Papadouris, JSTOR Daily, 20 Oct. 2026 OpenAI has not addressed inquiries about who that person is, or why this is the only paper to have had the benefit of human expertise before being released. — Quanta Magazine, 19 Oct. 2026 However, an Eisenkot coalition would establish a commission of inquiry into the 7 October attacks. — The Week Uk, TheWeek, 18 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for inquiry

Recent Examples of Synonyms for inquiry

Noun

Court records show that the investigation into the initial allegations was inconclusive.

— Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 22 Oct. 2026
Omar has denounced the investigations as a politically motivated conspiracy against her, and used it to urge supporters to donate to her reelection campaign.

— Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of investigation

Noun

The request, obtained by the Washington Examiner, came in a Wednesday letter from Mike Davis, founder and president of the Article III Project, a conservative legal advocacy group.

— Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 22 Oct. 2026
It is held by an escrow agent, usually the title company or a broker, who is not permitted to hand it to either side on request.

— Gary Singer, Sun Sentinel, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of request

Noun

If Fielder is again playing a version of himself here, Holmes seems to be offering near infinite versions of herself up for examination, like a set of unblinking reflections in a hall of funhouse mirrors.

— David Mack, CNN Money, 16 Oct. 2026
The search and forensic examination of the property remain ongoing.

— ABC News, ABC News, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of examination

Noun

Get timely insight into the cases, rulings, and constitutional questions defining America’s legal landscape.

— Washington Examiner, The Washington Examiner, 17 Oct. 2026
Most questions were friendly and business-centric, but Marshall also gave his opinion on several polarizing issues, including federal immigration enforcement, tariffs and the war in Iran.

— Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of question

Noun

Architects have long toyed with shipping containers as objects of exploration, deploying these off-the-shelf metal structures for a wide variety of uses.

— Edward Keegan, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026
Two months of virtual-production exploration before filming also allowed Fraser and the directors to test lighting, camera movements and the scale of spacecraft interiors.

— Davide Abbatescianni, Variety, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of exploration

Noun

The difficulty, the grand jury noted, was that almost all of those involved were lawyers — savvy enough to comply with jurors’ queries without getting anyone in trouble.

— Christopher Spata, Miami Herald, 17 Oct. 2026
The State Department did not respond to CNBC's queries sent outside of working hours.

— Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of query

Noun

Structural studies revealed wide-open cavities that accommodate large plastic polymers.

— Muskan Bhatia, Interesting Engineering, 21 Oct. 2026
Seven billionaires who have publicly moved out of California account for roughly $540 billion in wealth, CBS News reported, citing the study.

— Bilin Lin, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of study

Noun

Federal authorities seized Omar's phone in the search and have issued more than a dozen grand jury subpoenas, including to some of her relatives, a person briefed on the probe told the AP this week.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 18 Oct. 2026
The council opened its probe following a month of intense debate surrounding the risks posed by advanced AI models, and is aiming to use testimony and information unearthed through the investigation to guide new regulations.

— Lora Kolodny, CNBC, 16 Oct. 2026