Synonyms of question

question 1 of 2

noun

ˈkwes-chən 

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

• problem
• interrogative
• quiz
• conundrum
• riddle
• puzzle
• poser
• toughy
• stickler
• stumper
• toughie
• brainteaser

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• solution
• response
• answer

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• request
• inquiry
• query
• questioning
• questionnaire
• call
• survey
• research
• poll
• investigation
• interrogatory
• study
• examination
• probing
• exploration
• interrogation
• probe
• inquisition
• inquest
• interrogating

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• response
• answer
• reply

3

as in objection

a feeling or declaration of disapproval or dissent

that these measurements are accurate is beyond question

Synonyms & Similar Words

• objection
• exception
• complaint
• challenge
• criticism
• protest
• fuss
• difficulty
• demur
• demurrer
• expostulation
• doubt
• remonstrance
• suspicion
• stink
• demurral
• dispute
• qualm
• debate
• argument
• misunderstanding
• dissent
• quibble
• skepticism
• kick
• uncertainty
• compunction
• misgiving
• quarrel
• reluctance
• squabble
• cavil
• scruple
• censure
• conflict
• distrust
• unease
• static
• disobedience
• mistrust
• reservation
• rebellion
• niggle
• unwillingness
• uneasiness
• defiance
• dubitation
• dubiety
• indetermination
• misdoubt
• incertitude
• hassle
• mistrustfulness
• distrustfulness
• qualmishness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• willingness
• approval
• agreement
• sanction
• acceptance
• compliance
• assent
• acquiescence
• obedience

4

as in topic

a major object of interest or concern (as in a discussion or artistic composition)

it's a question of personal responsibility

Synonyms & Similar Words

• topic
• matter
• theme
• motif
• subject
• content
• idea
• motive
• essence
• issue
• problem
• purpose
• consideration
• subject matter
• point
• fundamental
• core
• basis
• heart
• debate
• substance
• argument
• count
• bulk
• burden
• main
• essential
• body
• sum
• crux
• talking point
• pivot
• gist
• staple
• generality
• nucleus
• mass
• nub
• kernel
• net
• quick
• purport
• marrow
• pith
• affair
• keynote
• centerpiece
• bottom
• grist
• essentiality
• nubbin

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• aside
• tangent
• digression
• excursion
• parenthesis
• interjection

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• challenge
• dispute
• doubt
• contest
• call into question
• query
• protest
• call in question
• impeach
• fight
• oppose
• oppugn
• resist
• kick (about)
• object (to)
• mistrust
• combat

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• believe
• accept
• support
• embrace
• swallow
• defend
• back
• advocate
• promote
• endure
• tolerate
• abide
• champion
• stomach

2

as in to debate

to give serious and careful thought to

question your motives before you file the lawsuit: do you really care about the trees, or are you just trying to harass the neighbors?

Synonyms & Similar Words

• debate
• ponder
• contemplate
• consider
• entertain
• study
• eye
• weigh
• review
• explore
• analyze
• think (about or over)
• look at
• deliberate
• ruminate
• chew on
• mull (over)
• cogitate
• meditate
• wrestle (with)
• revolve
• pore (over)
• chew over
• perpend
• kick around
• reason
• turn
• cudgel one's brains (about)
• beat one's brains out (about)
• believe
• reflect (on or upon)
• muse (upon)
• speculate (about)
• digest
• conclude
• reminisce
• fixate (on or upon)
• dwell (on or upon)
• opine
• fret (about or over)
• obsess (about or over)
• brood (about or over)
• conceive
• second-guess
• drink (in)
• absorb
• assimilate

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• ignore
• slight
• disregard
• overlook
• reject
• dismiss
• pooh-pooh
• pooh

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

• doubt
• suspect
• distrust
• mistrust
• misdoubt
• disbelieve
• discount
• discredit
• negate

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• trust
• depend (on or upon)
• rely (on or upon)
• count (on or upon)
• bank (on or upon)

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• ask
• interrogate
• quiz
• inquire (of)
• query
• grill
• catechize
• examine
• cross-examine
• survey
• cross-question
• bombard
• poll
• pump
• besiege

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• answer
• respond
• reply
• comment
• remark
• observe
• avoid
• retort
• rejoin
• duck

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

• examine
• interrogate
• query
• quiz
• catechize
• grill
• pump
• pick the brains of
• give the third degree to
• debrief
• cross-question
• cross-examine
• harass
• sweat
• annoy
• canvas
• hound
• poll
• pester
• canvass

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

Recent Examples of question

Noun

The question of the teams’ rivalry status is not confirmed, but recent events point to the answer being a yes. —Kalen Lumpkins, Chicago Tribune, 8 June 2025

This raises a critical question: is this truly the hill worth dying on? —Joel Shulman, Forbes.com, 7 June 2025

Verb

Today’s CEOs have to question if caution may come at too high a cost when a comment section can go unchallenged. —Brent Gleeson, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025

And yes, Allardyce did use his 2015 autobiography to question whether Morrison was cut out to be an elite footballer. —Daniel Taylor, New York Times, 6 June 2025

Phrases Containing question

• call in question
• call into question