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 On July 4, Venus enters the lighthearted and inquisitive sign of Gemini, where the love planet encourages everything from variety and exploration to intellectual stimulation. Valerie Mesa, People.com, 4 July 2025 According To Experts Where To Set Up A Mouse Trap Mice are inquisitive and will investigate anything new, says Owen. Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 19 June 2025 Decades after her mother’s passing, Seed discovered those recordings and put them at the heart of a documentary, A Photographic Memory, a film that can also be described as gentle, inquisitive, and wise. Matthew Carey, Deadline, 14 June 2025 Morning had just dawned on Sunday when an inquisitive Iranian girl awakened to war. Scott Peterson, Christian Science Monitor, 16 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for inquisitive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inquisitive
curious
Adjective
  • The little boys are now toddlers — 2½ year olds who are curious about the world around them.
    Angela Andaloro, People.com, 15 July 2025
  • Restructuring code reviews to start with curious questions, rotating pair programming to connect different backgrounds, creating roles that normalized disagreement and training managers to spot covering triggers transformed their culture.
    Jonathan H. Westover, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Inquisitive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inquisitive. Accessed 27 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on inquisitive

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