INTERROGATE Synonyms: 35 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'interrogate' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of interrogate are ask , inquire , query , and question . While all these words mean "to address a person in order to gain information," interrogate suggests formal or official systematic questioning. // the prosecutor interrogated the witness all day

Q: When could 'ask' be used to replace 'interrogate'?

The words ask and interrogate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, ask implies no more than the putting of a question. // ask for directions

Q: When is 'inquire' a more appropriate choice than 'interrogate'?

The synonyms inquire and interrogate are sometimes interchangeable, but 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

Q: When might 'query' be a better fit than 'interrogate'?

Although the words query and interrogate have much in common, query implies a desire for authoritative information or confirmation. // queried a librarian about the book

Q: When can 'question' be used instead of 'interrogate'?

The words question and interrogate can be used in similar contexts, but question usually suggests the asking of series of questions. // questioned them about every detail of the trip

interrogate

verb

in-ˈter-ə-ˌgāt

Definition of interrogate next

as in to ask

to put a question or questions to interrogated him about where he'd gone the night before

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to examine

to put a series of questions to police interrogated the murder suspect for hours on end

Synonyms & Similar Words

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How does the verb interrogate contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of interrogate are ask, inquire, query, and question. While all these words mean "to address a person in order to gain information," interrogate suggests formal or official systematic questioning.

the prosecutor interrogated the witness all day

When could ask be used to replace interrogate?

The words ask and interrogate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, ask implies no more than the putting of a question.

ask for directions

When is inquire a more appropriate choice than interrogate?

The synonyms inquire and interrogate are sometimes interchangeable, but 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 might query be a better fit than interrogate?

Although the words query and interrogate have much in common, query implies a desire for authoritative information or confirmation.

queried a librarian about the book

When can question be used instead of interrogate?

The words question and interrogate can be used in similar contexts, but question usually suggests the asking of series of questions.

questioned them about every detail of the trip

Examples 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 interrogate Being interrogated by Shire cultivated their mother-daughter dynamic on set, Walter says. —

Andrés Buenahora, Variety, 5 Dec. 2024 There’s a real cautionary tale around or at least a call to interrogate the motivations of charismatic figures. —

Charles Pulliam-Moore, The Verge, 4 Dec. 2024 China’s government is pressuring women to have children, including interrogating phone calls. —

Emma Hinchliffe, Fortune, 2 Dec. 2024 The play is one of Wilson’s Century Cycle — 10 entries that interrogate Black American life in the 20th century. —

Zac Ntim, Deadline, 2 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for interrogate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for interrogate

Verb

The defense is also considering whether to ask the judge to sever any of the murder charges from others.

Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 17 Dec. 2024
What's New TikTok is making a final push to stay active in the United States, asking the Supreme Court to block a federal law that could effectively ban the social media app unless its parent company, ByteDance, divests its U.S. operations.

Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 17 Dec. 2024

Definition of ask

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“Interrogate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/interrogate. Accessed 27 Dec. 2024.

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Last Updated: 26 Dec 2024 - Updated example sentences

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Synonyms of interrogate

verb

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