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

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

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 interrogate And his relatives in turn gave notes to the actors playing their younger selves and were encouraged to interrogate Ba as his coming-of-age story was dramatized. — Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 4 Oct. 2026 In the decades after those pioneering studies reported an inverse flux in two-dimensional systems, physicists did not deeply interrogate whether those flows were fixed. — Stephen Ornes, Quanta Magazine, 2 Oct. 2026 The alleged attacker was detained and interrogated by Saudi authorities. — Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2026 The Omani suspect is being held and interrogated by Saudi authorities. — Gerry Shih, Washington Post, 1 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for interrogate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for interrogate

Verb

After being asked to step out of the chair, a police dog identifies a tin of Altoids in the artist’s pocket.

— William Vaillancourt, Rolling Stone, 11 Oct. 2026
For Lev, assessing what participants take home means asking about their behavior.

— Tatiana Sataua, Fortune, 11 Oct. 2026

Definition of ask

Verb

But seeing my parents examining themselves in that way and connecting with people and putting themselves in vulnerable and silly and meaningful situations.

— Sarah Larson, New Yorker, 11 Oct. 2026
And now Snider found himself here, under a bright, blue sky, annoyed as a fireman examined the staples on the side of his head.

— Geoff Edgers, Washington Post, 11 Oct. 2026

Definition of examine

Verb

Reactions, however, ranged from pure fascination and respect for his 12-year project to critics questioning whether Tomlin, who parted ways with the Steelers in January of this year, had devoted too much time to his virtual city.

— Preston Fore, Fortune, 11 Oct. 2026
Allegations raise concerns over sensitive Chinese data Chinese regulators have reportedly questioned domestic AI developers following Anthropic’s allegations.

— Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of question

Browse Nearby Words

interring

interrogate

interrogated

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“Interrogate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/interrogate. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of interrogate

verb

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