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 Court records show that the investigation into the initial allegations was inconclusive. — Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 22 Oct. 2026 Omar has denounced the investigations as a politically motivated conspiracy against her, and used it to urge supporters to donate to her reelection campaign. — Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 22 Oct. 2026 After Epstein's 2019 arrest, federal prosecutors asked New Mexico to cease its own investigation of Epstein's activities in New Mexico. — ABC News, 21 Oct. 2026 The audit’s conclusions echo several findings of an investigation this year by The Denver Gazette and ProPublica into the Marijuana Enforcement Division’s lapses in policing contaminants entering the legal marketplace. — Christopher Osher, ProPublica, 21 Oct. 2026 Péter Magyar’s government is pursuing Orbán-era officials and alleged misuse of public funds, while promising that investigations will follow the rule of law. — Justin Spike, Los Angeles Times, 21 Oct. 2026 The vote came about six weeks after the board reinstated Hill following a lengthy outside investigation that found no evidence of wrongdoing on Hill’s part. — Charlotte Observer, 21 Oct. 2026 The motive for the attack remains unknown, and authorities will not speculate while the investigation is ongoing. — CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026 Sesno said that could be waged in court or through contracts, revoking security clearances or launching investigations. — Franco Ordoñez, NPR, 21 Oct. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for investigation
  1. inquiry
  2. examination
  3. exploration
  4. study
  5. probe
  6. probing
  7. research
Noun
  • Kotlikoff did not immediately respond Tuesday to an email inquiry about Jane Doe’s letter.
    — Leah Willingham, Los Angeles Times, 21 Oct. 2026
  • The inquiry asked about the NBA’s role in the matter, possible discipline and whether the teams would be instructed to be present for the anthem before Wednesday’s Game 3.
    — Dan Zaksheske OutKick, FOXNews.com, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of inquiry
Noun
  • If Fielder is again playing a version of himself here, Holmes seems to be offering near infinite versions of herself up for examination, like a set of unblinking reflections in a hall of funhouse mirrors.
    — David Mack, CNN Money, 16 Oct. 2026
  • The search and forensic examination of the property remain ongoing.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of examination
Noun
  • Architects have long toyed with shipping containers as objects of exploration, deploying these off-the-shelf metal structures for a wide variety of uses.
    — Edward Keegan, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026
  • Two months of virtual-production exploration before filming also allowed Fraser and the directors to test lighting, camera movements and the scale of spacecraft interiors.
    — Davide Abbatescianni, Variety, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of exploration
Noun
  • Structural studies revealed wide-open cavities that accommodate large plastic polymers.
    — Muskan Bhatia, Interesting Engineering, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Seven billionaires who have publicly moved out of California account for roughly $540 billion in wealth, CBS News reported, citing the study.
    — Bilin Lin, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of study
Noun
  • Federal authorities seized Omar's phone in the search and have issued more than a dozen grand jury subpoenas, including to some of her relatives, a person briefed on the probe told the AP this week.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 18 Oct. 2026
  • The council opened its probe following a month of intense debate surrounding the risks posed by advanced AI models, and is aiming to use testimony and information unearthed through the investigation to guide new regulations.
    — Lora Kolodny, CNBC, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of probe
Noun
  • This is the kind of clever probing and intuiting that makes shows like this fun.
    — Noel Murray, Vulture, 16 Oct. 2026
  • 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
Definition of probing
Noun
  • The prospect of a SpaceX-Tesla combo got rave notices from the research crews covering both companies.
    — Shawn Tully, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2026
  • The cultural explorations on No Bad Memories amount, to me, to a research paper on consumerism, materialism, and capitalism through the lens of advertising.
    — Lily Moayeri, SPIN, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of research

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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 23 Oct. 2026.

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