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

Thanks for all the great queries, which, as usual, have been slightly modified for length and clarity. — Matt Barrows, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026 The government had not yet responded to queries by the time of publication. — Michelle Gumede, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2026

Verb

When queried about the reasons for her breakout, Williams kept it simple. — Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 19 Aug. 2026 Lawmakers previously queried Airbnb and Cursor about their use of Chinese AI models. — J.d. Capelouto, semafor.com, 7 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for query

Recent Examples of Synonyms for query

Noun

Eliminate all doubt and all potential for committing a violation by using a side-by-side or over/under double barrel.

— Bryan Hendricks, Arkansas Online, 6 Sep. 2026
Still, there was a cloud of public doubt lingering over the event.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 6 Sep. 2026

Definition of doubt

Noun

The Pershing County Sheriff’s Office, which doubles as the region’s medical examiner, did not immediately respond to a request for information.

— Dennis Romero, NBC news, 5 Sep. 2026
One of the sources said the GSA put out a public request for lease proposals that identifies 18 potential locations, requiring space for at least 10 courtrooms.

— Ximena Bustillo, NPR, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of request

Verb

Critics also questioned whether UCLA’s athletic department had adapted quickly enough to the NIL era.

— Ira Gorawara, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2026
At Liberty High School in Frisco, Texas, Muslim students had used a spare classroom to pray without incident from 2009 to 2017, when Paxton’s office sent the district a letter questioning whether other students were being excluded.

— Asma Uddin, The Conversation, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of question

Verb

The technology had moved faster than the organization’s capacity to interrogate it, and no one positioned to stop the deployment had the standing, or the fluency, to ask what would happen if the update failed.

— Amer Al Ahbabi, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2026
Some years ago, when a foreign tourist was seen recording a video on a street in Beijing, he was stopped and interrogated by several dama wearing red armbands.

— Jonathan Flint, Harpers Magazine, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of interrogate

Noun

Then walk through the inquiry, response, sales process, onboarding, delivery, billing and follow-up.

— Joe Carter, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2026
The more generative thing was to think about wildly different experiences in terms of content, but ones that are aligned in terms of question and inquiry.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of inquiry

Verb

Many higher-income countries, though challenged by the disruption, have cushioned the blow by tapping strategic reserves or using their financial and political clout to secure emergency supplies.

— Nana Menya Ayensu, semafor.com, 7 Sep. 2026
Beijing has controlled the area since 2012, while Manila continues to challenge China’s claims through maritime and aerial patrols.

— Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 6 Sep. 2026

Definition of challenge

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“Query.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/query. Accessed 7 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of query

noun

verb

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