Synonyms of query

query 1 of 2

noun

ˈkwir-ē 

1

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

• doubt
• skepticism
• suspicion
• uncertainty
• concern
• reservation
• disbelief
• distrust
• distrustfulness
• mistrust
• incertitude
• mistrustfulness
• dubitation
• misgiving
• dubiety
• incredulity
• misdoubt
• anxiety
• unbelief
• paranoia
• wariness
• qualm
• compunction
• tremor
• niggle
• scruple

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• belief
• conviction
• trust
• assurance
• confidence
• certainty
• surety
• faith
• certitude
• sureness
• credence

2

as in request

an act or instance of asking for information

please respond to my query at your earliest convenience

Synonyms & Similar Words

• request
• question
• inquiry
• questioning
• questionnaire
• call
• survey
• poll
• research
• interrogatory
• investigation
• interrogation
• probe
• study
• examination
• probing
• exploration
• inquisition
• inquest
• interrogating

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• response
• answer
• reply

query

2 of 2

verb

1

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

• question
• challenge
• contest
• dispute
• call in question
• doubt
• impeach
• protest
• object (to)
• oppugn
• resist
• kick (about)
• oppose
• fight
• combat
• mistrust

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• believe
• accept
• support
• defend
• swallow
• embrace
• back
• advocate
• promote
• endure
• abide
• tolerate
• champion
• stomach

2

as in to ask

to put a question or questions to

queried the professor about the assignment

Synonyms & Similar Words

• ask
• question
• interrogate
• quiz
• inquire (of)
• grill
• catechize
• examine
• cross-examine
• cross-question
• survey
• bombard
• pump
• poll
• besiege

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• answer
• respond
• reply
• comment
• remark
• avoid
• observe
• retort
• rejoin
• duck

3

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

• question
• interrogate
• examine
• quiz
• pump
• grill
• catechize
• pick the brains of
• sweat
• debrief
• give the third degree to
• cross-examine
• cross-question
• annoy
• pester
• harass
• poll
• canvass
• hound

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

Recent Examples of query

Noun

For Conan O’Brien, an old hand whose podcast Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend is a big player in the field, witty banter and appropriately leading queries come naturally; O’Brien also has plenty of pals on, but has a knack for turning their back-and-forth into a deeper examination of their friendship. —David Sims, The Atlantic, 7 Feb. 2026

Despite decades of asking them in online forums, on social media and to search engines, humans still seem to have an infinite supply of these less-than-serious-minded queries. —Heather Kelly, Washington Post, 6 Feb. 2026

Verb

Why some hospitals want their own ChatGPT Hospitals around the world are developing in-house artificial intelligence chatbot systems that allow clinicians to query and summarize a patient’s medical record. —Theresa Gaffney, STAT, 28 Jan. 2026

McVay said when queried about his planned sideline attire. —Los Angeles Times, 17 Jan. 2026