query 1 of 2

Definition of querynext

query

2 of 2

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
Earlier this year, Amazon launched an artificial intelligence health tool that can analyze medical records, book appointments and answer queries. Annie Palmer, CNBC, 27 May 2026 The campaign did not respond to additional queries about her plans for healthcare access, if elected. Sarah Jane Tribble, NPR, 22 May 2026
Verb
On Thursday, the denim giant introduced conversational analytics, a new capability that allows employees to query the company’s data in their common language and receive secure, accurate and immediate answers. Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 7 May 2026 One such template application involves encrypted semantic search, which queries databases or datasets and returns relevant results based on the context or meaning of the search terms rather than keywords that match them. IEEE Spectrum, 30 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for query
Recent Examples of Synonyms for query
Noun
  • But there is no doubt that the NAACP is right about the contradiction of people cheering the exploits of Black athletes at college programs while also cheering the diminishing of Black political representation.
    Michael Cunningham, AJC.com, 4 June 2026
  • While Toregem wants to bring its treatment to market by 2030, experts have some lingering doubts whether the approach can actually work in humans.
    Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 4 June 2026
Noun
  • Affinity Gaming declined multiple requests from The Times to speak about Primm’s struggles.
    Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 10 June 2026
  • The judge, who is presiding at the trial in the 296th District Court in Collin County, denied a defense request for the jury to be permitted to consider criminally negligent homicide, but jurors were instructed to consider manslaughter, a reckless killing.
    Amy McDaniel, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 June 2026
Verb
  • Trump frequently questioned Joe Biden's fitness.
    Zac Anderson, USA Today, 7 June 2026
  • Some questioned how handing out reprints of an editorial published in the ADA’s own journal, at the ADA’s own annual conference, could be construed as a violation of that code.
    Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 6 June 2026
Verb
  • Arrest comes 40 years later Once they were done eating and interviewing Nash, the team asked him to go outside and look at some photos.
    Saleen Martin, USA Today, 5 June 2026
  • The police are asking anyone with additional information about this incident to contact the Robbery-Homicide Division, Valley Section, Dets.
    Emily St. Martin, Los Angeles Times, 5 June 2026
Verb
  • Build a culture of intellectual accountability in which employees are expected to interrogate AI output rather than relay it.
    Chris Rosenberg, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026
  • On May 13, investigators with Dallas police traveled to Beeville, Texas, where Holloway is incarcerated, to get a DNA sample and interrogate him.
    Saleen Martin, USA Today, 28 May 2026
Noun
  • Even with widespread skepticism and disregard for health protocols, many in the town are becoming aware of the outbreak's grave reality.
    ABC News, ABC News, 7 June 2026
  • There also has been widespread skepticism regarding the disease, making the job of medical treatment more difficult for Lokudu and his colleagues, and some of the health workers and first responders have died of the disease.
    Justin Kabumba, Los Angeles Times, 7 June 2026
Noun
  • Kellen's closed-door appearance before the Oversight Committee, which took place May 21, was part of the panel's ongoing inquiry into the federal government's handling of investigations into Epstein and his alleged co-conspirators.
    James Hill, ABC News, 4 June 2026
  • The company said Wednesday that a new Meta Business Agent feature can be used across apps like WhatsApp, Messenger and Instagram to respond to customer inquiries, recommend products and book appointments.
    Jonathan Vanian, CNBC, 3 June 2026
Verb
  • And Mullin, a 48-year-old former Republican senator from Oklahoma and former mixed martial arts fighter, is also known for fiery exchanges with congressional committees, once challenging a Teamsters leader during a 2023 hearing.
    Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 4 June 2026
  • Across the campus, 30 artists have created an array of site-specific permanent works on a scale that would even be challenging for a leading contemporary art institution.
    Jacqui Palumbo, CNN Money, 4 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Query.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/query. Accessed 11 Jun. 2026.

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