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

Alibaba alone accounted for more than 151 million Claude interactions, while Anthropic said Moonshot and DeepSeek sometimes routed their own users’ queries to Claude without their knowledge, potentially exposing sensitive information. — Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 15 Sep. 2026 The university did not elaborate on other queries sent, including what happens if a student does not clear the Samsung employment process. — Lim Hui Jie,miko Jang, CNBC, 15 Sep. 2026

Verb

The Elk Grove Police Department is reviewing an audit showing outside law enforcement agencies queried the city’s license plate data more than 8 million times. — Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 2 Sep. 2026 Argus also provides automated assessments intended to measure mission outcomes and includes Argus Chat, which allows analysts to query data using natural language. — Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 23 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for query

Recent Examples of Synonyms for query

Noun

The revelation that the holdout may have had reasonable doubt fueled sharply conflicting reactions.

— Monu Bedi, Chicago Tribune, 20 Sep. 2026
The defense acknowledged the affair but argued the state had built its case on a theory of motive and would be unable to prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt.

— Holly Yan, CNN Money, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of doubt

Noun

The motif has since become one of the most recognizable features in British gunmaking, appearing on every bespoke gun unless a client requests otherwise.

— Tianwei Zhang, Footwear News, 24 Sep. 2026
My appreciation to attractions officials, creative types, public relations folks and other experts who helped with facts, figures and fanciful requests.

— Dewayne Bevil, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of request

Verb

Three people associated with the box truck were initially detained and taken to DeLand Police headquarters for questioning but were later released and not charged, the release stated.

— Keily Alfonzo, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 Sep. 2026
That victory made the Myanmar native a champion questioned by some, but Van legitimized his reign by prevailing in a grueling battle against Tatsuro Taira last May, stopping his challenger in the final round.

— Eduard Cauich, Los Angeles Times, 19 Sep. 2026

Definition of question

Verb

One month before the Pentagon announced its first equity stake in a company, its top lawyer asked the White House to explain why the deal wouldn’t break the law.

— Eleanor Mueller, semafor.com, 21 Sep. 2026
Alaska voters will once again be asked to decide whether to keep or scrap their election method this fall.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 21 Sep. 2026

Definition of ask

Verb

Brittin has spent his early months in the job interrogating whether the broadcaster’s output is properly meeting audience needs and is said to be clear-eyed about shifting resources away from services that are dwindling in influence.

— Jake Kanter, Deadline, 23 Sep. 2026
The previous investigations were stalled because Haitian judges kept resigning from the case, fearing for their lives, and gangs seized control of the downtown Port-au-Prince courthouse where the judges were interrogating suspects.

— EVENS SANON, Arkansas Online, 21 Sep. 2026

Definition of interrogate

Verb

Habeas corpus, which allows a defendant to challenge the legality of their imprisonment, is among several mechanisms for release, some of which depend on a detainee’s location.

— Andrew Carter, Chicago Tribune, 20 Sep. 2026
Macklemore has pledged to donate $1 million in net earnings from the tour to organizations supporting Palestinians and publicly challenged Kraft to match the contribution.

— Jessica Lynch, Billboard, 19 Sep. 2026

Definition of challenge

Cite this Entry

Style

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

Copy Citation

Synonyms of query

noun

verb

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

confabulate

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 25

Popular

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes