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

Smart home control, routines, general queries, calendar management, and shopping are light-years ahead of pre-AI Alexa, mostly because the new Alexa understands me better. — Jennifer Pattison Tuohy, The Verge, 8 Oct. 2026 Donut did not answer two queries sent to its press-contact email address; a second query sent to a PR firm Donut seems to have hired more recently did get an acknowledgment, but not any answers. — Rob Pegoraro, PC Magazine, 8 Oct. 2026

Verb

But since March 2026, law enforcement queried him 55 times, a detail that is included in the lawsuit. — Jude Joffe-Block, NPR, 10 Sep. 2026 Many in the audience, however, will query the point of it all. — Guy Lodge, Variety, 5 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for query

Recent Examples of Synonyms for query

Noun

The moonshot idea of putting AI data centers into outer space just moved one step closer to reality, despite doubts about its feasibility.

— Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 10 Oct. 2026
The last thing this young and impressionable Dolphins squad needs is to have doubts that the progress being made, the foundation being laid, is faulty, and fragile.

— Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of doubt

Verb

Reactions, however, ranged from pure fascination and respect for his 12-year project to critics questioning whether Tomlin, who parted ways with the Steelers in January of this year, had devoted too much time to his virtual city.

— Preston Fore, Fortune, 11 Oct. 2026
Allegations raise concerns over sensitive Chinese data Chinese regulators have reportedly questioned domestic AI developers following Anthropic’s allegations.

— Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of question

Verb

Flores is accused of participating in decisions to torture prisoners and helping oversee a network of officials responsible for detaining and interrogating people perceived as threats to the government.

— Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 15 Oct. 2026
At least one copy fell into the hands of the Gestapo, which was hunting for Seghers and interrogating her associates.

— Alex Ross, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of interrogate

Noun

Of the 13 most competitive Senate races, seven Republicans have expressed skepticism or outright opposition to the agreement that is unlikely to significantly affect high diesel costs contributing to broader inflation.

— Ramsey Touchberry, The Washington Examiner, 15 Oct. 2026
Leaning into many voters’ skepticism of artificial intelligence and data centers, Biss has also put forward a multipart plan to regulate the industry.

— Olivia Olander, Chicago Tribune, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of skepticism

Noun

Waddhwa moved to strike a film development deal around the incident after getting unsolicited inquiries from Indian media firms.

— Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 15 Oct. 2026
Many of Netanyahu’s electoral rivals, including Eisenkot, have promised to immediately establish an independent commission of inquiry if elected.

— Chas Newkey-Burden, TheWeek, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of inquiry

Verb

Exec produced by Sylvester Stallone and filmed in British Columbia, the show challenges ordinary people to survive alone in an unforgiving wilderness with no training, no supplies, and no contact with the outside world.

— Max Goldbart, Deadline, 11 Oct. 2026
The archaic legal restrictions restricting same-sex couples or unmarried women, for example, are acknowledged and adhered to, rather than being openly challenged or criticized.

— Guy Lodge, Variety, 11 Oct. 2026

Definition of challenge

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Style

“Query.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/query. Accessed 17 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of query

noun

verb

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