Definition of questionnext
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

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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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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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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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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

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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
That raises significant questions about the wisdom of putting significant pension dollars into an illiquid investment with nearly 60 years left to run. The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 19 July 2026 For me, the metaphysical questions always come first, and the story emerges organically from the questions. Deborah Treisman, New Yorker, 19 July 2026
Verb
After the horrors of the October 7th attack, no one in the Administration questioned Israel’s right to retaliate. David D. Kirkpatrick, New Yorker, 20 July 2026 Judge Araceli Martínez-Olguín in a hearing on Friday, July 17 questioned both sides about competition, market concentration, and the impact of allowing the merger to proceed without a restraining order while litigation is ongoing. Brian Welk, IndieWire, 20 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for question
Recent Examples of Synonyms for question
Noun
  • The statement did not address questions about Northwood Ravin’s verbal agreement with Cherry, whether parking is a recurring issue with other projects across the city or how the developer can prevent similar problems in the future.
    Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 23 July 2026
  • And both of those problems were about to become easier to solve with help from the Adams administration.
    Andrew Rice, Curbed, 23 July 2026
Noun
  • Ericson said the request to further explore Midland came from several sources.
    Nora O'Neill, Charlotte Observer, 18 July 2026
  • Spokespersons for Paxton’s campaign and office and the Texas Tech system did not immediately return requests for comment.
    Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 July 2026
Noun
  • The people who did it anyway The objection says courage doesn't survive the incentives.
    Sachin H. Jain, Forbes.com, 18 July 2026
  • In one case, the panel concluded Martinez improperly allowed two high school students to sit with him on the bench during a hearing despite an objection from one of the parties.
    Ben Wheeler, Kansas City Star, 17 July 2026
Noun
  • The medical management of testosterone levels and their role in aging is a topic of great interests to scientists, physicians, and aging men.
    Alexander P. Cole, STAT, 18 July 2026
  • Trump has announced major decisions and musings about other topics, including staff changes, immigration crackdowns, and matters of war and peace in Ukraine and Iran.
    Bernard Condon, Fortune, 18 July 2026
Verb
  • In June, a local watchdog group called Citizens for a Friendly Airport filed its third in a series of lawsuits against the Board of Supervisors, challenging the board’s approval of commercial flights at the airport.
    Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 July 2026
  • Opponents can attempt to block ballot measure certification on a variety of grounds, such as challenging the Attorney General’s summary or the constitutionality of the proposal.
    Robert Cordy, Boston Herald, 19 July 2026
Verb
  • For an industry that has spent decades debating how to portray disability authentically, that shift in who holds the microphone may turn out to be the more consequential story.
    Keely Cat-Wells, Forbes.com, 18 July 2026
  • But that doesn’t mean the form of payment can’t also be debated.
    Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 18 July 2026
Verb
  • Being proactive means seeing these currents and establishing your ownership before anyone even doubts it.
    Andrey Insarov, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026
  • If the Benton report shows that the inspector general’s office is on the job, conducting robust and effective investigations, this could help rebuild confidence in an office the public has every reason to doubt.
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 17 July 2026
Verb
  • Of significance, the city is asking the Blazers to pay $3 million annually for a property tax offset, which would escalate over time.
    Jason Quick, New York Times, 20 July 2026
  • Some hospitality workers may have been asked to work longer hours during the games for higher pay – but that wouldn’t show up meaningfully in the jobs report.
    David Goldman, CNN Money, 20 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Question.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/question. Accessed 23 Jul. 2026.

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