QUERY Synonyms: 118 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'query' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of query are ask , inquire , interrogate , and question . While all these words mean "to address a person in order to gain information," query implies a desire for authoritative information or confirmation. // queried a librarian about the book

Q: When might 'ask' be a better fit than 'query'?

In some situations, the words ask and query are roughly equivalent. However, ask implies no more than the putting of a question. // ask for directions

Q: When can 'inquire' be used instead of 'query'?

While in some cases nearly identical to query , inquire implies a searching for facts or for truth often specifically by asking questions. // began to inquire of friends and teachers what career she should pursue

Q: In what contexts can 'interrogate' take the place of 'query'?

The synonyms interrogate and query are sometimes interchangeable, but interrogate suggests formal or official systematic questioning. // the prosecutor interrogated the witness all day

Q: Where would 'question' be a reasonable alternative to 'query'?

The words question and query are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, question usually suggests the asking of series of questions. // questioned them about every detail of the trip

query 1 of 2

noun

ˈkwir-ē

Definition of query

as in doubt

a feeling or attitude that one does not know the truth, truthfulness, or trustworthiness of someone or something readers will likely have a query or two about some of the more remarkable episodes in the memoir

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in request

an act or instance of asking for information please respond to my query at your earliest convenience

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

query

2 of 2

verb

as in to question

to demand proof of the truth or rightness of it seems odd that someone would want two stoves, so you'd better query that order

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to ask

to put a question or questions to queried the professor about the assignment

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to interrogate

to put a series of questions to once the statement was given, the press secretary allowed reporters to query the President

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb query contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of query are ask, inquire, interrogate, and question. While all these words mean "to address a person in order to gain information," query implies a desire for authoritative information or confirmation.

queried a librarian about the book

When might ask be a better fit than query?

In some situations, the words ask and query are roughly equivalent. However, ask implies no more than the putting of a question.

ask for directions

When can inquire be used instead of query?

While in some cases nearly identical to query, inquire implies a searching for facts or for truth often specifically by asking questions.

began to inquire of friends and teachers what career she should pursue

In what contexts can interrogate take the place of query?

The synonyms interrogate and query are sometimes interchangeable, but interrogate suggests formal or official systematic questioning.

the prosecutor interrogated the witness all day

Where would question be a reasonable alternative to query?

The words question and query are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, question usually suggests the asking of series of questions.

questioned them about every detail of the trip

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 query

Noun

However, the creator is fielding queries openly and the project has already surpassed it funding goal. — New Atlas, 10 July 2026 The company will ultimately benefit from rising CPU demand as AI shifts from training to inference, in which AI models process and respond to user queries. — Natasha Abellard, CNBC, 10 July 2026

Verb

Instead, the metadata from that audio and images would be extracted and uploaded to the server for Meta’s AI to query, which proponents argue would have fewer privacy implications. — Jay Peters, The Verge, 8 July 2026 The latest study, in the Journal of Financial Planning, queried the seven GenAI platforms in August 2025 with the same set of prompts. — Greg Iacurci, CNBC, 7 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for query

Recent Examples of Synonyms for query

Noun

But the public show of confidence hasn’t quieted longstanding doubts about Collins’ chances of ousting Ossoff.

— Greg Bluestein, AJC.com, 20 July 2026
The unity shown in Ankara will only stimulate additional doubts over Moscow’s capacity to end the conflict favorably.

— Ihor N. Stelmach, Hartford Courant, 19 July 2026

Definition of doubt

Noun

Katrina Shadix, a 58-year-old anti-bear-hunt activist in the Orlando area, found out through a public-records request that the FWC accessed her DAVID information 17 times between 2023 and 2025.

— David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 25 July 2026
One of the tenant union’s requests was for the city to use the health department’s authority to make emergency repairs to the buildings and refrain from condemning the property.

— Dylan Lysen, Kansas City Star, 25 July 2026

Definition of request

Verb

Gen might have gotten away scot-free from the sheets incident in terms of optics — no one questions her involvement, even though her job description includes housekeeping — but karma hounds her during the first day of the charter.

— Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 21 July 2026
On Friday at Fanatics Fest in New York, Messi was questioned about the photos by Tom Brady during a World Cup final event involving both teams’ coaches and captains.

— Brooks Peck, New York Times, 21 July 2026

Definition of question

Verb

Of significance, the city is asking the Blazers to pay $3 million annually for a property tax offset, which would escalate over time.

— Jason Quick, New York Times, 20 July 2026
Some hospitality workers may have been asked to work longer hours during the games for higher pay – but that wouldn’t show up meaningfully in the jobs report.

— David Goldman, CNN Money, 20 July 2026

Definition of ask

Verb

Instead of preparing for a business-school discussion by reading a case and waiting for class, students can interrogate a custom GPT loaded with the relevant materials.

— Ray Ravaglia, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026
To that end, 14th attempts to interrogate a promise powerful enough to change a nation — and controversial enough to divide it for more than 150 years.

— Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 21 July 2026

Definition of interrogate

Noun

Take me home to West Virginia Despite early skepticism that programs like Ascend West Virginia couldn't produce long-term gains, many have reported high retention rates and lasting economic benefits.

— Scott Neuman, NPR, 24 July 2026
Within the real-estate industry, there was skepticism that Berman’s approach would work in other parts of the city.

— Andrew Rice, Curbed, 23 July 2026

Definition of skepticism

Noun

According to the news site Gothamist, one early focus of its inquiry appears to be the company that MetroLoft used to install the building’s steel.

— Andrew Rice, Curbed, 23 July 2026
Neither Suarez nor EvoSkin responded to the Herald’s inquiries about whether the FDA had cleared Endo One.

— Ella Moore July 23, Miami Herald, 23 July 2026

Definition of inquiry

Verb

In June, a local watchdog group called Citizens for a Friendly Airport filed its third in a series of lawsuits against the Board of Supervisors, challenging the board’s approval of commercial flights at the airport.

— Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 July 2026
Opponents can attempt to block ballot measure certification on a variety of grounds, such as challenging the Attorney General’s summary or the constitutionality of the proposal.

— Robert Cordy, Boston Herald, 19 July 2026

Definition of challenge

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Style

“Query.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/query. Accessed 26 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of query

noun

verb

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