Synonyms of interrogate

interrogate

verb

in-ˈter-ə-ˌgāt 

1

as in to ask

to put a question or questions to

interrogated him about where he'd gone the night before

Synonyms & Similar Words

• ask
• question
• quiz
• inquire (of)
• query
• catechize
• examine
• grill
• cross-examine
• bombard
• besiege
• cross-question
• pump
• survey
• poll

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• respond
• answer
• reply
• observe
• avoid
• rejoin
• comment
• remark
• retort
• duck

2

as in to examine

to put a series of questions to

police interrogated the murder suspect for hours on end

Synonyms & Similar Words

• examine
• question
• catechize
• query
• pump
• quiz
• grill
• cross-examine
• harass
• debrief
• pick the brains of
• pester
• annoy
• give the third degree to
• sweat
• cross-question
• hound
• canvass
• poll

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

Recent Examples of interrogate

Hansen would then make a dramatic entrance and interrogate the men, who would often stammer and bumble through the encounter before leaving. —Emily St. Martin, Los Angeles Times, 27 May 2026

The other candidates’ blackout is compounded by the eagerness of debate mediators to interrogate the candidates on other issues while failing to bring up education. —Dan Walters, Oc Register, 26 May 2026

Advent has effectively digitized its own intellectual history — its wins, its misses, its assumptions — and turned it into a live analytical layer that interrogates every new deal that comes before the committee. —Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 25 May 2026

Finally, interrogate your own expectations. —Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 23 May 2026