inquisition

noun

ˌin-kwə-ˈzi-shən How to pronounce inquisition (audio)
Definition of inquisitionnext
as in investigation
a systematic search for the truth or facts about something there's no need to conduct an inquisition about so trivial a matter

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 inquisition In any event, Levinson still believes that this inquisition undermined the larger point being made about institutional abuse. — Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 25 Apr. 2026 An inquisition of potbellied priests stood at the side of the road. — Douglas Stuart, New Yorker, 12 Apr. 2026 Conservative influencers are pushing for a return to the dark days of 1950s inquisitions. — Ali Breland, The Atlantic, 6 Mar. 2026 With that and a few more inquisitions from Farley, Webster opened up about his life story, starting with living in his van for two years. — Jamie L. Lareau, USA Today, 10 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for inquisition
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inquisition
  1. investigation
  2. inquiry
  3. examination
  4. exploration
  5. study
  6. probe
  7. probing
Noun
  • His cellphone was seized by the FBI in 2024 as part of an investigation into his campaign finance reporting.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 6 Aug. 2026
  • The outbreak wasultimately traced back to romaine lettuce, and the FDA closed its investigation last year without publicly identifying the grower or supplier involved.
    — Yahya Abou-Ghazala, CNN Money, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of investigation
Noun
  • The piece urges critical inquiry into such claims, emphasizing that human oversight, not AI's inherent deviousness, can be a sizable contributor.
    — Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 5 Aug. 2026
  • The inquiry shows that just $17,209 was used to pay healthcare and pharmacy costs, according to a review of statements from the couple’s eight Bank of America accounts between late December 2024 and late June 2026.
    — Martha Ross, Mercury News, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of inquiry
Noun
  • No sentence in corporate life sounds more like the beginning of an examination, and none more dependably marks the end of one.
    — Vibhas Ratanjee, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
  • Among the most notable figures in this year’s report were 157 domestic abuse forensic exams conducted through the organization’s strangulation examination program, which launched in the past two years.
    — Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 30 July 2026
Definition of examination
Noun
  • But capturing a liftoff live from the moon was the next logical step to chronicle NASA's lunar exploration in real-time.
    — Tariq Malik, Space.com, 2 Aug. 2026
  • His explorations of being poor, marginal, and stereotyped took many forms, including drawing and painting, which are the focuses of a posthumous exhibition of his work at the Drawing Center.
    — Coco Fusco, The New York Review of Books, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of exploration
Noun
  • Emerging studies on leading AI models that have been specially trained by scholars to act as virtual Commanders-in-Chief, armed with massive arsenals of atomic arms, have been alarming.
    — Kevin Holden Platt, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
  • The studies looked at everything from chips and salsa to beef chili and chicken tikka masala.
    — Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 31 July 2026
Definition of study
Noun
  • That wasn't possible on the Blue Ghost-Resilience launch, however, as getting the lunar probes to their distant deployment point used up almost all of the upper stage's fuel.
    — Mike Wall, Space.com, 3 Aug. 2026
  • The order is the latest in a long-running SEBI probe into Zee’s promoters.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of probe
Noun
  • There was Wall Street Journal reporter Josh Dawsey, accepting an award for his relentless probing of the White House.
    — Aidan McLaughlin, Vanity Fair, 25 July 2026
  • But neither of them seemed eager to undergo much emotional probing.
    — Amy Weiss-Meyer, The Atlantic, 10 July 2026
Definition of probing

Browse Nearby Words

inquiry
inquisition
inquisitional
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Cite this Entry

“Inquisition.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inquisition. Accessed 7 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on inquisition

Nglish: Translation of inquisition for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about inquisition

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