as in question
an interrogative expression often used to test knowledge
though she phrased it as an interrogative, it was clear that the utterance was more of a command
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in quizzical
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
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 interrogative
James Parker, The Atlantic, 10 Nov. 2019
But Zuckerberg didn’t reply to any hallway interrogatives.
—Chad Pergram, Fox News, 11 Apr. 2018
Maya Ibbitson, Architectural Digest, 12 Sep. 2024
The series takes an interrogative approach to its source material, framing Rice’s iconic goth novel and its 1994 film adaptation as the previous version of its story, one in which the vampire Louis de Pointe du Lac (Jacob Anderson) lies and deceives his interviewer, Daniel Molloy (Eric Bogosian).
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 10 May 2024
Audit your schedule with this interrogative prompt.
—Jodie Cook, Forbes, 23 Feb. 2024
Her interrogative installations use collage, painting and light to create off kilter realities laced with social commentary.
—Briana Miller, oregonlive, 8 Sep. 2023
These law enforcement officers had been trained in all the interrogative techniques that are utilized to elicit a confession.
—Eric Fleischauer The Decatur Daily, al, 2 Dec. 2022
Other interrogative terms typically solicit specific information.
—Seyward Darby, Longreads, 17 Aug. 2022
Here are nine animating, searching, and interrogative titles with which to start.
—Talya Zax, The Atlantic, 26 June 2022
But Smaker is on a different mission in her searing film, the very existence of which often feels like a miracle and an interrogative act of defiance.
—Tomris Laffly, Variety, 24 Jan. 2022
Noun
How about: to the huge, throbbing interrogative that is America at the end of 2019.
—James Parker, The Atlantic, 10 Nov. 2019
But Zuckerberg didn’t reply to any hallway interrogatives.
—Chad Pergram, Fox News, 11 Apr. 2018
Adjective
The statues felt interrogative, like something or someone was already disappointed in me.
—Maya Ibbitson, Architectural Digest, 12 Sep. 2024
The series takes an interrogative approach to its source material, framing Rice’s iconic goth novel and its 1994 film adaptation as the previous version of its story, one in which the vampire Louis de Pointe du Lac (Jacob Anderson) lies and deceives his interviewer, Daniel Molloy (Eric Bogosian).
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 10 May 2024
Audit your schedule with this interrogative prompt.
—Jodie Cook, Forbes, 23 Feb. 2024
Her interrogative installations use collage, painting and light to create off kilter realities laced with social commentary.
—Briana Miller, oregonlive, 8 Sep. 2023
These law enforcement officers had been trained in all the interrogative techniques that are utilized to elicit a confession.
—Eric Fleischauer The Decatur Daily, al, 2 Dec. 2022
Other interrogative terms typically solicit specific information.
—Seyward Darby, Longreads, 17 Aug. 2022
Here are nine animating, searching, and interrogative titles with which to start.
—Talya Zax, The Atlantic, 26 June 2022
But Smaker is on a different mission in her searing film, the very existence of which often feels like a miracle and an interrogative act of defiance.
—Tomris Laffly, Variety, 24 Jan. 2022
Recent Examples of Synonyms for interrogative
Noun
-
Advice columnist Carolyn Hax takes your comments and questions most Fridays about life, family, relationships and more.—
Carolyn Hax,
Washington Post,
27 Mar. 2026
-
And yet, Trump has also managed to avoid complex questions about those issues — the most pressing before his administration — and despite Democrats and some of his own supporters lashing out over them.—
Kevin Rector,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The quizzical quartet: Nick Bosa, Mykel Williams, Bryce Huff and Keion White.—
Cam Inman,
Mercury News,
6 Mar. 2026
-
When the film won, many in the media room at BAFTA turned to each other with a quizzical look.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
22 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Universities and research institutions face inquisitorial scrutiny.—
Alejandro Reyes,
Washington Post,
3 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The indecency of this extraordinary line of interrogation says more about the intrusive thoughts of Carlson and Peck than about Buttigieg.—
Graeme Wood,
The Atlantic,
3 Mar. 2026
-
They were informed that Closer, a French magazine, had published the intrusive photographs.—
Stephanie Nolasco,
FOXNews.com,
2 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Interrogative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/interrogative. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
