investigation

noun

Definition of investigationnext
as in inquiry
a systematic search for the truth or facts about something officials launched an extensive investigation of the plane crash

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 investigation This year, the agency has already posted 20 investigations and says work remains active for 18 foodborne illness clusters. — Deidre McPhillips, CNN Money, 13 Aug. 2026 The Army notified his former patients there about the investigation and how to report any complaints, NBC News reported. — Mosheh Gains, NBC news, 13 Aug. 2026 Inspector General Eliot Prescott released a 26-page report detailing the findings of his investigation into the death of 33-year-old Gamboy Guaranda at the New Haven Correctional Center on April 16. — Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 13 Aug. 2026 Summary Digital forensics expert Brett Shavers criticizes how non-practitioners increasingly dictate digital investigation processes, prioritizing administrative metrics over field realities. — Lars Daniel, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2026 No additional information has been released, as the investigation remains active. — Ana Maria Soler, CBS News, 13 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for investigation
  1. inquiry
  2. examination
  3. exploration
  4. study
  5. probe
  6. probing
  7. research
Noun
  • He was charged in December after the Army Criminal Investigation Division opened an inquiry in October following a complaint from a patient at Fort Hood.
    — Mosheh Gains, NBC news, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Minnesota authorities began criminal inquiries after the killings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, having to fight the federal government to secure the relevant evidence.
    — New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of inquiry
Noun
  • Becoming a therapist requires years of education, supervised practice, licensing examinations and often substantial student debt.
    — Wayne Lonstein, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Modi late last month posted a selfie video on Instagram and Facebook addressing students over examination paper leaks that stirred nationwide protests.
    — Bloomberg, Mercury News, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of examination
Noun
  • Lichtenstein recommends supporting style exploration while still identifying realistic limits and slowing down big choices through compromise and open communication about why your teen wants to switch up their look.
    — Liz Regalia, Parents, 10 Aug. 2026
  • The energy minister said ExxonMobil plans to expand its exploration activities off Cyprus and is expected to receive an additional license to search for hydrocarbons.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of exploration
Noun
  • Moreover, in a study of 29 users of Melanotan II published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, some users reported their skin turning a dull gray color.
    — Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2026
  • Does this study prove that watching television causes negative brain changes?
    — Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of study
Noun
  • The agency launched one investigation into DPS last year after the district built a gender-neutral bathroom at East High School and a second Title IX probe in July after a teacher was accused of making female students kiss each other in class.
    — Jessica Seaman, Denver Post, 10 Aug. 2026
  • The researchers then used a sophisticated pump-probe laser technique.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of probe
Noun
  • There was Wall Street Journal reporter Josh Dawsey, accepting an award for his relentless probing of the White House.
    — Aidan McLaughlin, Vanity Fair, 25 July 2026
  • But neither of them seemed eager to undergo much emotional probing.
    — Amy Weiss-Meyer, The Atlantic, 10 July 2026
Definition of probing
Noun
  • Meghan personally called animal rights attorney Shannon Keith, who runs the Beagle Freedom Project, after hearing about 4,000 beagles being rescued from overcrowded and unsanitary conditions at the Envigo breeding and research plant in Virginia.
    — Audrey Schmidt, PEOPLE, 9 Aug. 2026
  • The research on this topic is extensive and widely debated, but a 2026 study has re-modelled a global individualism-collectivism scale to measure where each country falls.
    — Mark Carey, New York Times, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of research

Browse Nearby Words

investigating
investigation
investigations
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Cite this Entry

“Investigation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/investigation. Accessed 14 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of investigation for Spanish Speakers

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