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 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 McCullum generally leaves in-match inquisitions to his loyal lieutenants, Marcus Trescothick and Jeetan Patel. — Paul Newman, New York Times, 8 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
  • An investigation by the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners found that while the three medications were administered in non-fatal doses, Hemphill failed to acknowledge the way the drugs would act when combined, according to the warrant.
    — Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 July 2026
  • News reporting about the new plane’s security deficiencies angered the president and triggered a sprawling leak investigation.
    — Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 16 July 2026
Definition of investigation
Noun
  • Bauman has banked his own and says that not a week passes without a celebrity inquiry.
    — Ramona Saviss, HollywoodReporter, 15 July 2026
  • Unless the bank performs a hard inquiry, opening a deposit account generally does not impact your credit score.
    — Dan Avery, CNBC, 15 July 2026
Definition of inquiry
Noun
  • Initially, the police did not believe her, even though a medical examination and physical evidence supported her account.
    — Joaquin Sapien, ProPublica, 17 July 2026
  • Future stable isotope examinations could also better contextualize the family’s nutritional issues.
    — Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 17 July 2026
Definition of examination
Noun
  • In terms of threading the needle between the experimentation and playing Lestat does before landing on a style that’s uniquely his, Lestat’s preference for musical exploration is akin to Hart’s own.
    — Sabrina Reed, Forbes.com, 6 July 2026
  • Well, the nation came of age industrially after the Wright brothers' historic flight and has been a leader in aerospace tech and exploration ever since.
    — Mike Wall, Space.com, 4 July 2026
Definition of exploration
Noun
  • The studies point to a broader shift already underway in pet care.
    — Elsa Ohlen,Carolin Roth, CNBC, 18 July 2026
  • Aïnouz’s new feature, however, is extreme in its brand of dysfunction and study of incestuous lust, amped up by its arresting cinematography.
    — CNN Money, CNN Money, 17 July 2026
Definition of study
Noun
  • Hu, also the Communist Party chief of his bureau, is the highest-ranking official to be caught up in in a widening probe of the province's coal mining sector, according to Caixin, a Chinese business publication.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 14 July 2026
  • Fulton County officials have sought to quash the probe, which was referred to the FBI by Kurt Olsen, a lawyer who previously fought to try and overturn the results of the 2020 election as part of the Stop the Steal Movement.
    — Daniel Klaidman, CBS News, 13 July 2026
Definition of probe
Noun
  • But neither of them seemed eager to undergo much emotional probing.
    — Amy Weiss-Meyer, The Atlantic, 10 July 2026
  • Mission two was to do a lot of listening, a lot of probing, a lot of asking questions, skip levels to really understand the opportunity for the go forward, but also embrace what makes TIAA incredibly special.
    — Fortune Editors, Fortune, 22 June 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 19 Jul. 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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