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
Al Khatib expects queries and new productions to resume when the fighting ends, but notes that the situation remains complicated. Ed Meza, Variety, 15 June 2026 Acknowledging its decision to err on the side of caution, Anthropic said Fable 5’s safety-first approach might incorrectly flag harmless requests as being suspicious for less than 5% of queries. Jared Perlo, NBC news, 11 June 2026
Verb
Flay frequently answers fans’ queries about his Food Network series on social media, addressing a wide variety of topics. Erin Clements, PEOPLE, 22 May 2026 For its last week, guests turned the tables and queried Colbert. Althea Legaspi, Rolling Stone, 22 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for query
Recent Examples of Synonyms for query
Noun
  • There is little doubt the B-52 will continue its epic run.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2026
  • Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, soon signed it remotely too –– quickly casting doubt over whether an in-person signing event was now needed.
    Nic Robertson, CNN Money, 19 June 2026
Noun
  • Israel’s request to see the text was rejected by the US, an Israeli source told CNN.
    Kevin Liptak, CNN Money, 17 June 2026
  • Tandoori Pizza did not respond to a request for comment from The Sacramento Bee.
    Emma Hall, Sacbee.com, 17 June 2026
Verb
  • Thirty years after Lyle and Erik Menendez were convicted of murdering their parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez, Jose's former business partner still questions what led to the killings.
    Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 13 June 2026
  • Nearly a decade later, public opinion has shifted, and there are signs that the decision to leave is being questioned by at least some within the governing Labour party.
    Anand Menon, Time, 13 June 2026
Verb
  • Vance, asked by a reporter about the criticism from the Israeli government, singled out Israeli Cabinet officials who have attacked the deal, saying Netanyahu has not shared the same opposition in the vice president's conversations with him.
    Joey Garrison, USA Today, 19 June 2026
  • The 20-year-old inmate would ask her to pass the phone around to different members of the family.
    Gavin J. Quinton, Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2026
Verb
  • If unethical actors can deploy custom frontier AI models to aggressively interrogate smart contracts and find hidden protocol flaws, human-only defensive audits will be rendered obsolete.
    Sean Stein Smith, Forbes.com, 18 June 2026
  • New York police executing a search warrant raided an LGBTQ+ bar called the Stonewall Inn, and some of the patrons resisted as officers continued interrogating them and bar employees.
    USA Today, USA Today, 17 June 2026
Noun
  • The skepticism isn’t limited to Chicago.
    Daniel C. Vock, Chicago Tribune, 14 June 2026
  • When guests feel misled — even unintentionally — brands pay through lower return rates, weaker relationships, greater skepticism, and damaging reviews.
    Teresa Mackintosh, Fortune, 13 June 2026
Noun
  • According to the Air Force, the Interim Safety Board assigned to investigate the crash is tasked with collecting as much information as possible and then handing it over to a Safety Investigation Board, composed of experts, that will complete the inquiry.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2026
  • The company, which aired the UFC event live in theaters, did not immediately respond to an inquiry from USA TODAY.
    Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 18 June 2026
Verb
  • Wigan, United Kingdom — Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham is poised to challenge British Prime Minister Keir Starmer for the country’s premiership after resoundingly winning a special election in Makerfield, northwest England, and securing his return to parliament.
    Clare Sebastian, CNN Money, 19 June 2026
  • Each delivers thoughtful insights and actionable ideas that challenge your perspective and inspire new ways of thinking.
    Big Think, Big Think, 18 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Query.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/query. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.

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