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
The agency announced the reward on Thursday shortly after releasing two images of the person of interest in the investigation.
—
Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 13 Sep. 2025
Beau Mason, Commissioner of the Utah Department of Public Safety, gave a timeline of the investigation at a press conference earlier on Thursday.
—Connor Greene, Time, 12 Sep. 2025
The local office of the OIJ in Quepos, which serves the central Pacific area of the country and is in the area where Miller Gardner died, told CNN on Friday that it was asked to expand its investigation into the case.
—Djenane Villanueva, CNN Money, 12 Sep. 2025
Cal Fire revoked the fireworks licenses for companies linked to the Esparto compound after their investigation concluded that Chee, Devastating’s owner, and Cutright, on behalf of BlackStar Fireworks, broke California fireworks laws.
—Jake Goodrick, Sacbee.com, 12 Sep. 2025
The investigation eventually revealed that Lauryn's mom, Kendra Licari, was the person who had been sending up to 50 cruel texts a day to her then-13-year-old daughter and her daughter's ex-boyfriend for two years.
—Emily Blackwood, PEOPLE, 12 Sep. 2025
Only scientists and public health officials can determine, after thorough investigation, whether a vaccine caused or contributed to a side effect submitted to the system, according to the CDC website.
—Annika Kim Constantino, CNBC, 12 Sep. 2025
Following the announcement that law enforcement has a suspect, 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, in custody for Kirk’s assassination, Cox spoke about the investigation, its effect on the country, and what Kirk may have wanted from it.
—Adisa Hargett-Robinson, The Washington Examiner, 12 Sep. 2025
But any outcome of the investigation won’t be able to bring back Taddese, who loved ones say was such a spark for those around him.
—Pj Green, Kansas City Star, 12 Sep. 2025
Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 13 Sep. 2025
Beau Mason, Commissioner of the Utah Department of Public Safety, gave a timeline of the investigation at a press conference earlier on Thursday.
—Connor Greene, Time, 12 Sep. 2025
The local office of the OIJ in Quepos, which serves the central Pacific area of the country and is in the area where Miller Gardner died, told CNN on Friday that it was asked to expand its investigation into the case.
—Djenane Villanueva, CNN Money, 12 Sep. 2025
Cal Fire revoked the fireworks licenses for companies linked to the Esparto compound after their investigation concluded that Chee, Devastating’s owner, and Cutright, on behalf of BlackStar Fireworks, broke California fireworks laws.
—Jake Goodrick, Sacbee.com, 12 Sep. 2025
The investigation eventually revealed that Lauryn's mom, Kendra Licari, was the person who had been sending up to 50 cruel texts a day to her then-13-year-old daughter and her daughter's ex-boyfriend for two years.
—Emily Blackwood, PEOPLE, 12 Sep. 2025
Only scientists and public health officials can determine, after thorough investigation, whether a vaccine caused or contributed to a side effect submitted to the system, according to the CDC website.
—Annika Kim Constantino, CNBC, 12 Sep. 2025
Following the announcement that law enforcement has a suspect, 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, in custody for Kirk’s assassination, Cox spoke about the investigation, its effect on the country, and what Kirk may have wanted from it.
—Adisa Hargett-Robinson, The Washington Examiner, 12 Sep. 2025
But any outcome of the investigation won’t be able to bring back Taddese, who loved ones say was such a spark for those around him.
—Pj Green, Kansas City Star, 12 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for investigation
Noun
-
Meanwhile, analytical software has revolutionized linguistic inquiry, enabling greater understanding of the ways language works—when, how, and why words break out; the specific contexts for expressions and idioms.—
Stefan Fatsis,
The Atlantic,
13 Sep. 2025
-
The Federal Trade Commission has launched an inquiry into several social media and artificial intelligence companies about the potential harms to children and teenagers who use their AI chatbots as companions.—
Barbara Ortutay,
Fortune,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Other than in the Second Circuit, the federal courts of appeals generally have interpreted the Confrontation Clause to require face-to-face cross examination, and counsel should be wary of giving up that important right.—
Robert Anello,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
-
The subcommittee heard their statements as part of an examination of a purportedly secret UFO retrieval program managed by the Pentagon.—
Janet Loehrke,
USA Today,
9 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Musk has had perhaps the largest impact of any one person on space exploration in recent years, from both a cultural and technological standpoint.—
Jackie Wattles,
CNN Money,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Cave exploration had grown more popular in late-nineteenth-century Europe along with mountaineering.—
Danny Robb,
JSTOR Daily,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
For now, the study provides proof of concept.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
13 Sep. 2025
-
Edelman and his wife, Michelle Edelman – a trailblazer in art and design who has led Traffic Creative Management and TrafficArts since 1996 – acquired Martins’ first study titled Watchman (2018), recognizing a powerful force in the global art world.—
Natasha Gural,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
In the planning stages of the two-part Viking mission, which landed spacecraft on Mars in the mid-seventies, Sagan argued that the probes should include lights and cameras, in case creatures scurried past.—
David W. Brown,
New Yorker,
13 Sep. 2025
-
The anti-dumping probe will run for about a year and may be extended by another six months, if needed, while the anti-bias probe usually takes about three months, according to the trade regulator.—
Bloomberg News,
Boston Herald,
13 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The Algerian is equally capable of tucking into midfield, running the flanks, playing probing passes from a wide-centre-back role or making darting movements towards goal.—
Mark Carey,
New York Times,
14 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
The First 70 Years contains impeccable research and analysis, accompanied by fascinating photos of the sets, film crews, and casts.—
Michael Taube,
The Washington Examiner,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Pledges to give it all away A good friend of philanthropist Michael Milken who has raised billions of dollars for cancer research, Ellison believes the road to bliss is altruistic giving.—
Martine Paris,
Forbes.com,
12 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Investigation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/investigation. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share