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 During the investigation, police were alerted to two shooting victims who had walked into area hospitals, including Chance. — Adam Thompson, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026 The investigation into the shocking death of Hayden Panettiere has been joined by the Drug Enforcement Administration, a source familiar with the matter told The New York Times. — Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 20 Aug. 2026 The investigation continues, and some facts could change as witnesses are interviewed and evidence is examined, Brown said. — Phil Helsel, NBC news, 20 Aug. 2026 The Drug Enforcement Administration has joined the investigation into Hayden Panettiere’s death, according to ABC News. — Jack Dunn, Variety, 20 Aug. 2026 Toxicology tests, which are standard in many death investigations, could take weeks to complete. — Holly Yan, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for investigation
  1. inquiry
  2. examination
  3. exploration
  4. study
  5. probe
  6. probing
  7. research
Noun
  • Anne Arundel County Public Schools previously responded to inquiries about the joint statement from the DOJ and Education Department.
    — Adam Thompson, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026
  • By Tuesday afternoon, more than 107,000 people had signed an open letter calling on the government to commission a public inquiry into media coverage of Arday.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of inquiry
Noun
  • Noor Kestou, 33, of Commerce, appeared for a preliminary examination on Thursday on an involuntary manslaughter charge, according to the Macomb County Prosecutor's Office.
    — DeJanay Booth-Singleton, CBS News, 14 Aug. 2026
  • And Becca is so sassy too when Mel wants to try to do the examination.
    — Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of examination
Noun
  • Even without the question of more victims, the Manson case presented a new exploration of true crime, and the way the public processes it.
    — Elisabeth Garber-Paul, Rolling Stone, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Crescent Energy Crescent Energy (CRGY) is an exploration and production company with activities focused in the Eagle Ford, Permian and Uinta Basins.
    — , CNBC, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of exploration
Noun
  • And in a study of a third group of over 690 participants, super movers had better cognition and lower prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.
    — Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026
  • For the new study, Chang’s team created specialized fluorescent animal models that enabled them to visualize and isolate all of the cardiac neurons on the heart.
    — Isabella Backman, Hartford Courant, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of study
Noun
  • In January 2005, the European Space Agency’s Huygens probe — carried to Saturn by NASA’s Cassini spacecraft — became the first and only spacecraft to land on the mysterious moon.
    — Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Carr asserted that the timing was a coincidence and the license review was related to his DEI probe.
    — Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 18 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
  • Among them is Benjamin Radford, a research fellow and investigator with the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry, a nonprofit organization that evaluates paranormal and fringe-science claims from a scientific viewpoint.
    — Amanda Musa, CNN Money, 16 Aug. 2026
  • In this series, Kristen Finch shares practical research skills to help students and educators search more effectively, evaluate sources, and build confidence using JSTOR.
    — JSTOR Daily, JSTOR Daily, 15 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 20 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of investigation for Spanish Speakers

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