INQUISITIVE Synonyms: 25 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'inquisitive' contrast with its synonyms?

The words curious and prying are common synonyms of inquisitive . While all three words mean "interested in what is not one's personal or proper concern," inquisitive suggests impertinent and habitual curiosity and persistent quizzing. // dreaded the visits of their inquisitive relatives

Q: When can 'curious' be used instead of 'inquisitive'?

The meanings of curious and inquisitive largely overlap; however, curious , a neutral term, basically connotes an active desire to learn or to know. // children are curious about everything

Q: When would 'prying' be a good substitute for 'inquisitive'?

The words prying and inquisitive are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, prying implies busy meddling and officiousness. // prying neighbors who refuse to mind their own business

inquisitive

adjective

in-ˈkwi-zə-tiv

Definition of inquisitive next

as in curious

interested in what is not one's own business an inquisitive woman who tends to everybody's business but her own

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective inquisitive contrast with its synonyms?

The words curious and prying are common synonyms of inquisitive. While all three words mean "interested in what is not one's personal or proper concern," inquisitive suggests impertinent and habitual curiosity and persistent quizzing.

dreaded the visits of their inquisitive relatives

When can curious be used instead of inquisitive?

The meanings of curious and inquisitive largely overlap; however, curious, a neutral term, basically connotes an active desire to learn or to know.

children are curious about everything

When would prying be a good substitute for inquisitive?

The words prying and inquisitive are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, prying implies busy meddling and officiousness.

prying neighbors who refuse to mind their own business

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 inquisitive In this show, the inquisitive little monkey from the children’s books and award-winning PBS TV show will be the star in a new adventure musical that should delight those of all ages. —

Elizabeth Marie Himchak, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 June 2026 And other people are very inquisitive, a little nervous at first, but probably wondering if this is a scam. —

Sonal Dutt, PEOPLE, 2 June 2026 Izabella, who also goes by Izzy, is a wonderful girl with an inquisitive, outgoing, and confident personality. —

CBS News, 27 May 2026 In practice, this requires finance to be inquisitive beyond reporting numbers and invest in understanding the operation and the rigor required to change financial outcomes. —

Daniah Robertson, Forbes.com, 26 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for inquisitive

Recent Examples of Synonyms for inquisitive

curious

Adjective

The film, released as an accompaniment to the band’s 2017 album, Spirit, is a curious reminder of the path music takes after it’s released into the world.

— Shaad D’Souza, Pitchfork, 22 June 2026
To my father, wellness was not a goal to be optimized, but rather something that came naturally with a curious, family-oriented, and altruistic existence.

— Ezekiel J. Emanuel, Fortune, 21 June 2026