Synonyms of inquisitive

inquisitive

adjective

in-ˈkwi-zə-tiv 

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

• curious
• interested
• prying
• nosy
• questioning
• officious
• concerned
• intrusive
• quizzical
• meddlesome
• obtrusive
• snoopy
• meddling
• interrogative
• inquisitorial
• interfering
• inquisitional

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• disinterested
• incurious
• indifferent
• uninterested
• uncurious
• unconcerned
• apathetic

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

Recent Examples of inquisitive

Anyone who’s sat next to a kid (or an inquisitive adult) firing off nonstop questions knows how quickly focus disappears. — Lauren Schuster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 July 2026

Her eyes wide and gaze inquisitive, Laura takes in everything around her. — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 9 July 2026

Exceptional service that turns inquisitive travelers into return guests. — Travel + Leisure Editors, Travel + Leisure, 7 July 2026

If American music in 1976 represented a collective, inquisitive, inventive American spirit of discovery, the semiquincentennial in the age of social media has become more about the individual identity. — Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026