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query

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verb

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
Since its initial filing to go public on the Nasdaq, Cerebras has shifted its focus away from selling systems and more toward providing a cloud service for accepting incoming queries to models that use its chips underneath. Jordan Novet, CNBC, 3 Oct. 2025 Thank you to those who’ve read the newsletter, responded to all my queries and to those who have even asked me their own questions. Rebecca Morin, USA Today, 2 Oct. 2025
Verb
So query whether shareholders would have standing. Tax Notes Staff, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025 When querying luxury shoppers in July, Essner said tariffs were not hitting in a big way. David Moin, Footwear News, 9 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for query
Recent Examples of Synonyms for query
Noun
  • The Star card is asking you to let go of doubts and instead focus on what aligns most with your goals.
    Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 Oct. 2025
  • With dark brown fur and adorable, squeezable paws, there's no doubt your little one will adore this stuffy.
    De Elizabeth, Parents, 1 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Kobach has petitioned top Republican lawmakers to convene a special session with the goal of blocking the Kansas Department of Revenue from resuming its practice of accommodating gender marker change requests, according to a letter sent to GOP lawmakers and obtained by The Star.
    Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 3 Oct. 2025
  • The request is just the first step in a department review process and the rate hike that is ultimately approved could be lower.
    Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 3 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Canales’ trust in Young growing A week after Dave Canales called a couple of running plays on third-and-long — prompting a veteran coach with another team to question Canales’ faith in his quarterback — Canales was more aggressive with his play calling with the game on the line.
    Joseph Person, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
  • Once Gein's crimes came to light, he was questioned about a number of additional disappearances in the region.
    JR Radcliffe, jsonline.com, 6 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • But when officers stand in the road, Dutch Bros customers stop and ask them questions.
    Patricia Gallagher Newberry, Cincinnati Enquirer, 2 Oct. 2025
  • She was asked to write about her devotion to Jesus, and her works were published after her death.
    Natalie Davies, Freep.com, 1 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Also starring Denis O'Hare, Zachary Quinto, Sandra Bernhard, Isaac Powell, and Patti LuPone, NYC interrogates many thematic threads, but none more so than the illusion of control.
    James Mercadante, Entertainment Weekly, 1 Oct. 2025
  • His attorneys pointed out that Dassey had a low IQ bordering on intellectual disability, and questioned law enforcement's interrogation tactics — including allowing the teen to be interrogated without a parent or attorney present.
    Kelli Arseneau, jsonline.com, 1 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Among customers and in financial markets, skepticism is rising as some question whether the massive investment in AI will ever be justified by revenues.
    Sharon Goldman, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2025
  • Advertisement But Blair’s potential role in Gaza has also drawn deep concern among critics, and raised skepticism over how well the proposal will go over with Hamas.
    Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 30 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The city received the inquiry while its lawyers were in court attempting to stop the deployment of National Guard troops to help protect federal property.
    Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 4 Oct. 2025
  • Exeter has described the current multistate inquiry as an extension of demands for information that started in 2015.
    Tony Schick, ProPublica, 3 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • As if cybersecurity wasn’t challenging enough, fewer CISA employees are being asked to do more and more work protecting American cyberspace during the shutdown.
    Richard Forno, The Conversation, 7 Oct. 2025
  • The clash comes amid lawsuits from states and cities challenging the use of federal law enforcement and military forces in local jurisdictions.
    Jordan King, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Oct. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Query.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/query. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.

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