Synonym Chooser

How does the verb interrogate contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of interrogate are ask, inquire, query, and question. While all these words mean "to address a person in order to gain information," interrogate suggests formal or official systematic questioning.

the prosecutor interrogated the witness all day

When could ask be used to replace interrogate?

The words ask and interrogate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, ask implies no more than the putting of a question.

ask for directions

When is inquire a more appropriate choice than interrogate?

The synonyms inquire and interrogate are sometimes interchangeable, but inquire implies a searching for facts or for truth often specifically by asking questions.

began to inquire of friends and teachers what career she should pursue

When might query be a better fit than interrogate?

Although the words query and interrogate have much in common, query implies a desire for authoritative information or confirmation.

queried a librarian about the book

When can question be used instead of interrogate?

The words question and interrogate can be used in similar contexts, but question usually suggests the asking of series of questions.

questioned them about every detail of the trip

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 interrogate Warren’s style is to relentlessly interrogate and castigate. Laura Washington, Chicago Tribune, 2 Apr. 2025 In 2018, the Public Employment Relations Board found that a Southern California school district violated state law when a union steward was interrogated about whether employees had complained to her. Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 2 Apr. 2025 Black Mirror evokes anthology series like The Twilight Zone and Amazing Stories with speculative, offbeat tales that draw upon sci-fi, thriller, and horror tropes to satirize culture and interrogate moral and ethical quandaries. Randall Colburn, EW.com, 30 Mar. 2025 She was detained by Italian police for questioning and interrogated for 53 hours over five days without legal counsel or an interpreter present. Lynsey Eidell, People.com, 27 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for interrogate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for interrogate
Verb
  • Healthcare providers consider your medical history and ask about symptoms.
    Mark Gurarie, Health, 22 Apr. 2025
  • Three Manhattan federal prosecutors resigned on Tuesday after saying the Trump administration had asked them to admit wrongdoing in New York City Mayor Eric Adams’s corruption case as a condition of their return.
    Ross O'Keefe, The Washington Examiner, 22 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • One significant section of the Lower Mississippi River Comprehensive Management Study will examine the best long-term solutions to the saltwater intrusion phenomenon.
    Kati Weis, CBS News, 28 Apr. 2025
  • With information about each respondent, researchers can examine in more detail the sources and causes of these changes.
    William Dunkelberg, Forbes.com, 28 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Justice Amy Coney Barrett questioned the district’s defense that the books are being used to promote respect for others and to show that the world is diverse.
    Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2025
  • But some experts have questioned the validity of a player excelling at both positions at the pro level.
    Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 22 Apr. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Interrogate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/interrogate. Accessed 2 May. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on interrogate

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!