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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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
The district walked back the idea, but the move sparked public outcry and raised questions about whether splitting a school district — a process called detachment — has to be approved by voters in a public election. Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 May 2025 And that begs the question: What was the point of Trump’s tariff comings and goings, beyond goosing sales of antacids? The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 15 May 2025
Verb
While the total square footage of office space owned and leased by the Department of General Services has increased, many state workers question whether there are enough desks for all their colleagues to be in offices in July. William Melhado, Sacbee.com, 16 May 2025 The eight-figure dollar amount is likely to be key to the defense’s attempt to question Ventura’s motives. Nicki Brown, CNN Money, 15 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for question
Recent Examples of Synonyms for question
Noun
  • As studies begin to find connections between exposure to plastic and medical problems, doctors and scientists are increasingly concerned.
    Elizabeth Weise, USA Today, 13 May 2025
  • Digital platforms have made attempts to resolve this problem, yet frequently mimic the traditional education system's one-directional teaching approach.
    AyoOluwa Nihinlola, Forbes.com, 12 May 2025
Noun
  • Trump has made a number of moves in recent weeks to target drug prices, including a request for House Republicans to mandate low drug prices for Medicaid.
    Peter Aitken, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 May 2025
  • Belfort did not respond to requests for comment about his stance.
    Kavitha Surana, CNN Money, 12 May 2025
Noun
  • It was never sold in the U.S. thanks to the unwavering objections of a resolute reviewer at the FDA named Frances Oldham Kelsey.
    David Armstrong, CNN Money, 10 May 2025
  • With Republicans going it alone, over the objections of Democrats in the House and Senate critical of the tax package as a giveaway to the rich that will hurt Americans who depend on federal services, leaders will need almost every Republican on board.
    Lisa Mascaro, Chicago Tribune, 10 May 2025
Noun
  • Support journalism that digs deeper into topics that matter most to Arkansans.
    Frank E. Lockwood, Arkansas Online, 10 May 2025
  • The nominees for its book, broadcast media and journalism awards celebrate digital and traditional media — radio, television broadcasts, podcasts, documentaries, online sites, social media — covering food and beverage topics published or self-published in 2024.
    Zareen Syed, Chicago Tribune, 9 May 2025
Verb
  • Dozens of lawsuits have been filed challenging Trump's executive orders and actions taken by his administration, including the dismantling of federal agencies and the crackdown on international students involved in pro-Palestinian campus protests.
    Amanda Castro Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 May 2025
  • Immigrant rights groups challenged the change on behalf of the immigrants and their sponsors.
    Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 9 May 2025
Verb
  • The House Ways and Means Committee debated House Republicans' broad tax plan.
    Riley Beggin, USA Today, 13 May 2025
  • Social Media Reacts Posters on the Reddit forum r/TSA debated whether people should have been prepared for the change.
    Thomas Westerholm, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 May 2025
Verb
  • The film never doubts the validity of the protests that rose up against the murder of George Floyd.
    Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 16 May 2025
  • But doubts linger over his future and a parting in the summer might be mutually beneficial.
    Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 16 May 2025
Verb
  • Here's why Cassie said Combs threatened to 'blow up' Kid Cudi's car During cross-examination, Ventura Fine was asked about her relationship with rapper Kid Cudi, whose real name is Scott Mescudi.
    Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 17 May 2025
  • That’s the question writer-director Ari Aster’s somber comedy-Western Eddington, playing in competition here at the Cannes Film Festival, appears to be asking.
    Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 17 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Question.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/question. Accessed 23 May. 2025.

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