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 The incident was reported Tuesday, off the Omani coast, the UKMTO said, which added that the resulting fire had been extinguished, all crew members were reported safe, and an investigation was underway. — Anniek Bao, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026 Jeff Pope is penning a drama about the investigation into Everard’s 2021 murder for the BBC. — K.j. Yossman, Variety, 27 Aug. 2026 That investigation found Brown's former law firm had been awarded a city contract to defend Denver in two employment lawsuits, with WTO lawyers billing $800 an hour. — Brian Maass, CBS News, 26 Aug. 2026 Now a new report on the fallout from the investigation into that flyover is rattling the Defense Department and could lead to further delay in replacing the Army leader ousted for refusing to kill the probe. — Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 26 Aug. 2026 During the investigation, surveillance footage showed McAfee taking mail from her route. — Irene Wright, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026 Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed authorities to conduct an immediate investigation, his office said. — Reuters, NBC news, 26 Aug. 2026 Flock’s ALPRs capture images of every vehicle that drives by, regardless of whether the car is the subject of a police investigation. — Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 26 Aug. 2026 Following that investigation last fall, KBI did not provide the court an affidavit recommending the Wyandotte County District Court file charges against Fatherley, although District Attorney Mark Dupree moved forward with the charges anyway. — Sofi Zeman august 25, Kansas City Star, 26 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for investigation
  1. inquiry
  2. examination
  3. exploration
  4. study
  5. probe
  6. probing
  7. research
Noun
  • Clarke’s legacy, of a philosophical cinema that turns form into inquiry, critique, and protest, is also a cinema of paradox.
    — Richard Brody, New Yorker, 26 Aug. 2026
  • An official inquiry into the intelligence that led to the decision was later established.
    — Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of inquiry
Noun
  • Swelling and spinal shock can cloud the earliest neurological picture, and physicians repeat examinations over time for good reason, as many people once given a grave prognosis go on to recover.
    — Daryl Austin, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Brown is scheduled to travel with the major-league team back to Chicago after Wednesday’s game against the Arizona Diamondbacks for further examination.
    — Patrick Mooney, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of examination
Noun
  • Nova currently has an exploration and mining project called Estelle in Alaska, which contains something called stibnite (Sb₂S₃), an important antimony-bearing ore.
    — Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Schmitt noted that his mission — Apollo’s last moonshot — was the most productive lunar exploration yet.
    — Marcia Dunn, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of exploration
Noun
  • But Andrew DiCapua, the chamber’s principal economist and the study’s author, maintains that the results still apply today.
    — Ben Wheeler, Kansas City Star, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Cohere this week released an IDC study of executives in four countries, which shows that most believe that AI sovereignty is important, but few can define it or have a firm plan for achieving it.
    — Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of study
Noun
  • The probe follows the US announcement last week of a fresh sanctions campaign against Iran.
    — Matthew Martin, semafor.com, 31 Aug. 2026
  • In addition to the early license renewal proceeding, the FCC has an ongoing probe into ABC related to the agency’s equal time rules.
    — BrieAnna J. Frank, USA Today, 31 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
  • The country is also placing its hopes on automation, with the government committing 1 billion Singapore dollars ($787 million) to public AI research from 2026 to 2030.
    — Angelica Ang, Fortune, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Frank Lenk, director of economic research at the Mid-America Regional Council, said automotive goods are one of Kansas City’s largest exports, and many of those products go back and forth across the border with Canada.
    — Cuyler Dunn, Kansas City Star, 29 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 2 Sep. 2026.

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