question 1 of 2

1
as in problem
an interrogative expression often used to test knowledge because I have missed so many classes, I had a hard time answering every question on today's surprise quiz

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
as in request
an act or instance of asking for information after reading the brief statement to the reporters, the lawyer ended the press conference by saying, "No more questions, please" the dozens of questions researched by the reference librarians

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

3
4

question

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to challenge
to demand proof of the truth or rightness of the teenager openly questioned the authority of the town's police force to impose a curfew on residents under the age of 18

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
3
as in to doubt
to have no trust or confidence in it was apparent that voters were questioning the President's ability to manage the economy

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

4
as in to ask
to put a question or questions to the press should be allowed to question public officials about any matter of general interest

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

5
as in to examine
to put a series of questions to the police questioned the suspect before deciding that there was insufficient evidence to hold him

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb question contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of question are ask, inquire, interrogate, and query. While all these words mean "to address a person in order to gain information," question usually suggests the asking of series of questions.

questioned them about every detail of the trip

When can ask be used instead of question?

Although the words ask and question have much in common, ask implies no more than the putting of a question.

ask for directions

In what contexts can inquire take the place of question?

While in some cases nearly identical to question, 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

When could interrogate be used to replace question?

The meanings of interrogate and question largely overlap; however, interrogate suggests formal or official systematic questioning.

the prosecutor interrogated the witness all day

When would query be a good substitute for question?

In some situations, the words query and question are roughly equivalent. However, query implies a desire for authoritative information or confirmation.

queried a librarian about the book

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 question
Noun
As the music swelled, their emotions rose too, and Luke popped the question. Allison Moses, USA Today, 19 Aug. 2025 While there are questions about quarterback Gunner Stockton, who looked shaky in Georgia’s CFP quarterfinal defeat against Notre Dame last year, the roster in Athens is of its typical depth, and a top 10 defense can buoy Stockton. Noah White, Miami Herald, 19 Aug. 2025
Verb
For years, top district administrators have questioned the effectiveness of the program. Scott Travis, Sun Sentinel, 20 Aug. 2025 With the Heat seemingly stuck in a hamster wheel of mediocrity, some asset management decisions can reasonably be questioned. Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 19 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for question
Recent Examples of Synonyms for question
Noun
  • Roblox stock is down 9% this past week alone in the wake of all this, and now, it’s just issued a bunch of new safety updates trying to prune some of the problems away.
    Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 16 Aug. 2025
  • Even low levels of drinking can lead to certain cancers and heart problems, according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. Poll results were released Aug. 13.
    Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 16 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • The State Department did not respond to a request for comment.
    The New York Times, Mercury News, 17 Aug. 2025
  • The Courant reported the text message exchange in February after obtaining it from Steinberg through a public record request.
    Edmund H. Mahony, Hartford Courant, 16 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • At this stage, the United States has spent plenty for Ukraine’s sovereignty — often over the objections of Trump himself, but the expenditures have been made.
    New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 14 Aug. 2025
  • Despite that finding and Clapp’s objections, council members are still moving forward with the plan.
    Alex Derosier, Twin Cities, 13 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Support journalism that digs deeper into topics that matter most to Arkansans.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 25 Aug. 2025
  • Data-sharing agreements on topics like border control, financial transactions or intelligence cooperation can easily become politically volatile.
    Majeed Javdani, Forbes.com, 25 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • The new map is expected to be signed soon by Abbott but then challenged in court by progressive groups.
    Rick Jervis, USA Today, 25 Aug. 2025
  • Cognitive Training Cognitive training includes strategies for maintaining and challenging thinking skills as a method of preventing or slowing down cognitive decline.
    Heidi Moawad, Verywell Health, 23 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Ohio lawmakers debated everything from home grow restrictions to penalizing passengers who smoke in the car.
    Haley BeMiller, The Enquirer, 17 Aug. 2025
  • Then, ensuring they are heard, considered, debated, and brought into solutions.
    Nadia Edwards-Dashti, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • When combined, these missteps compound risk, exposing systemic disorganization that makes investors doubt the team’s ability to scale.
    Kirill Gurskiy, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2025
  • Kirk faces a crisis of conscience and doubts his leadership skills when Spock intervenes and slowly guides him back to baseline where his command skills begin to be forged under fire.
    Jeff Spry, Space.com, 20 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Related, ask any already empathetic Nashville singer-songwriter about the value of consistently showing up in writing rooms.
    Marcus K. Dowling, The Tennessean, 21 Aug. 2025
  • Unexpectedly, Bex asks Lizzie to exclusively interview her about her ranch and influencing career.
    Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 21 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Question.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/question. Accessed 28 Aug. 2025.

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