Thesaurus results for INVESTIGATION

investigation

noun

Definition of investigation

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

Relevance

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 Garcia also wants to look at the administration's handling of the Jeffrey Epstein investigation and Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations. — Arkansas Online, 12 Nov. 2026 That institutional knowledge could prove particularly valuable in anticipating Democratic oversight strategies, identifying potential vulnerabilities, and preparing the administration to counter congressional investigations. — Christian Datoc, The Washington Examiner, 12 Nov. 2026 Nvidia’s board launched an independent investigation into the Chinese connection earlier this month. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 12 Nov. 2026 Brazilian prosecutors launched an investigation earlier this year into Epstein’s activities in the country, though details are under seal. — Shirsho Dasgupta, Miami Herald, 12 Nov. 2026 An investigation is underway after a woman was killed and a man was hurt in a double shooting Tuesday on Detroit's east side. — Julia Avant, CBS News, 11 Nov. 2026 An investigation indicated one of the drivers was intoxicated, and she was arrested at the scene, police said. — Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Nov. 2026 Its investigations exposed abuses by Russian forces in Chechnya and offshore wealth linked to President Vladimir Putin’s inner circle. — Josephine Murphy, NBC news, 11 Nov. 2026 Goldsmith spoke out about her relationship with Brand as British police confirm further investigation of criminal allegations against him. — Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 11 Nov. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for investigation

Noun

Law firm Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz is overseeing the inquiry.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 12 Nov. 2026
The situation escalated Monday after Woodward filed a motion stating communications with local prosecutors about the Broadview case are privileged and off-limits to Perry’s ongoing inquiry.

— Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 11 Nov. 2026

Definition of inquiry

Noun

His attorneys sought permission for additional brain scans, arguing that his history of head injuries and mental health problems warranted further examination.

— Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 6 Nov. 2026
The investigation extended to a digital forensic examination following the confiscation of a computer belonging to Markle Sr.

— Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 6 Nov. 2026

Definition of examination

Noun

Exxon has drilled exploration and appraisal wells and is focusing on its technology at a Houston pilot plant.

— Jordan Blum, Fortune, 7 Nov. 2026
Officials announced the news Saturday during a Kennedy Space Center air show promoting lunar exploration as well as advances in aviation and technology.

— Marcia Dunn, Chicago Tribune, 7 Nov. 2026

Definition of exploration

Noun

In one example, researchers used single-cell data from a study of people receiving a COVID-19 mRNA vaccine.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 12 Nov. 2026
Most of what Mendoza has done this season has occurred behind the scenes in practice and with video and playbook study.

— Mark Anderson, Chicago Tribune, 12 Nov. 2026

Definition of study

Noun

Moran says a deeper probe into the shootings could still serve important purposes, like making evidence available for states to use in their own criminal investigations.

— Meg Anderson, NPR, 7 Nov. 2026
Friday's no-confidence vote came as four men named in Jane Doe's lawsuit joined the legal push to have James removed from the criminal probe.

— Peter Charalambous, ABC News, 6 Nov. 2026

Definition of probe

Noun

Those platforms have mainly served as research aircraft or high-altitude pseudo-satellites.

— Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 12 Nov. 2026
In 2025, Google’s Craig Gidney published research suggesting RSA-2048 could theoretically be factored with fewer than one million noisy physical qubits under specific engineering assumptions, a dramatic reduction from previous estimates.

— Peter Smulovics, Forbes.com, 12 Nov. 2026

Definition of research

Browse Nearby Words

investigating

investigation

investigations

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Investigation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/investigation. Accessed 13 Nov. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of investigation

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

impertinent

Popular in Grammar & Usage

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

31 Useful Rhetorical Devices

More Commonly Misspelled Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Popular in Wordplay

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Longest Long Words List

The Words of the Week - Nov. 13

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

Popular

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes