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 Rupert’s lawyers deny it, though the takeover attempts have seemingly gone on pause since Higgins’s inquiries. — Keith Phipps, Vulture, 30 Sep. 2026 Patrick is a mix of stately confidence and thoughtful inquiry. — Kyle MacLachlan, HollywoodReporter, 29 Sep. 2026 E-commerce search bars will evolve into conversational entry points where customers can discover products, get personalized guidance and resolve customer service inquiries through a single point. — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 29 Sep. 2026 The Supreme Court previously vacated the underlying order that Boasberg claims officials violated, leading to his contempt inquiry. — Jack Birle, The Washington Examiner, 29 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for inquiry

Recent Examples of Synonyms for inquiry

Noun

FlyDubai, the lower-cost sister carrier of Emirates airlines, said its flights to and from Israel would be suspended while an investigation takes place.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 1 Oct. 2026
The seven Chi Phi members in question were suspended, expelled, or faced other consequences, such as writing an essay, but most were allowed to continue their education at the university following a monthslong Title IX investigation.

— Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of investigation

Noun

The event was held at the request of Epoch AI, an organization that benchmarks the progress of artificial intelligence systems.

— Lyndie Chiou, Scientific American, 2 Oct. 2026
David Peck, Pourharton’s attorney, told the Town Plan and Zoning Commission that his client’s business has created no reason for rejecting the request, noting that GG hasn’t been the scene of arrests or police activity.

— Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of request

Noun

The report details necropsy and microscopic tissue examinations of two female belugas, 23-year-old Peekachu and 20-year-old Rain, who arrived in Chicago last month from the defunct Marineland park in Canada.

— Lila Hempel-Edgers, Chicago Tribune, 25 Sep. 2026
Even the film’s potentially provocative examination of open marriages falls by the wayside, replaced by an increasingly strained subplot involving Haru contending with Mila’s unexpected arrival.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of examination

Noun

The finding resolves a long-running question about the material’s electrical behavior.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 26 Sep. 2026
The Aries Full Moon illuminates your domestic 4th house, bringing a family matter, living situation, or question of emotional security into clearer focus.

— Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 26 Sep. 2026

Definition of question

Noun

Does the school offer career exploration, technical education, or dual credit opportunities?

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 28 Sep. 2026
While designers have no current use for their jump-otronic robots, the sheer amount of robotics development for terrestrial and extra-planetary exploration suggests that the photoleapers are a solution that will eventually find their problem.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of exploration

Noun

The chips are power-hungry (a ChatGPT AI query consumes about ten times as much energy as a normal Google search) and also generate a lot of heat, which requires cooling systems.

— The Week UK, TheWeek, 27 Sep. 2026
Even though it was not supposed to have access to the internet, the agent found a way to send queries to a public chatbot.

— Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 26 Sep. 2026

Definition of query

Noun

In a new study published this week in the journal Antiquity, researchers describe how a group of historians helped discover the early medieval monastery in a stroke of good luck.

— Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 1 Oct. 2026
The eye-popping money will help to speed up construction, with groundbreaking set to start next year and the first Miami students beginning their studies in 2028.

— Maximilíano Durón, ARTnews.com, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of study

Noun

Alexei Gruverman then used scanning probe microscopy to examine the film’s electrical response.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 26 Sep. 2026
The Australian website probe occurred in June, an OpenAI spokesperson previously told CNN, but the company was only made aware of it in August.

— Auzinea Bacon, CNN Money, 26 Sep. 2026

Definition of probe

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Style

“Inquiry.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inquiry. Accessed 3 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of inquiry

noun

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