QUESTION Synonyms: 270 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

question 1 of 2

noun

ˈkwes-chən

Definition of question

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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Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

as in objection

a feeling or declaration of disapproval or dissent that these measurements are accurate is beyond question

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in topic

a major object of interest or concern (as in a discussion or artistic composition) it's a question of personal responsibility

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

question

2 of 2

verb

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

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?

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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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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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 more interesting question perhaps then is what else in fashion can get under our skin in 2026. — Amy Francombe, Vogue, 9 Oct. 2026 Attendees at IndieWire’s Future of Filmmaking Summit in Los Angeles on October 17 will get an answer to that question when our Pitch Me panel convenes Hollywood decision makers to break down their process of vetting pitches. — Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 9 Oct. 2026

Verb

What readers are saying The comments reflect skepticism and criticism towards Israel and its actions, with some commenters questioning the credibility of Israeli intelligence and the motives behind certain events. — Matthew Hay Brown, Washington Post, 9 Oct. 2026 Police questioned Roper and Hargrove, who fully cooperated with investigators by turning in their DNA and phones. — ABC News, 9 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for question

Recent Examples of Synonyms for question

Noun

The problem is two of the guys have started dating between last year and this year.

— R. Eric Thomas, Washington Post, 12 Oct. 2026
In an Austin school district where buses are equipped with cameras, Waymos were recorded illegally passing them more than twenty times in the past school year—a problem that persisted even after the company tried to fix it.

— Molly Fischer, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of problem

Noun

Miltenberg’s objection centers on comments James made before her office was appointed to lead the criminal investigation.

— Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 5 Oct. 2026
As for the constant chatter about the unwelcome safety tech, Roma said the objections may be exaggerated.

— Morgan Korn, ABC News, 4 Oct. 2026

Definition of objection

Noun

Both candidates wove personal attacks and affordability points into questions that a panel of journalists from across the state asked on a variety of topics.

— Anna Giaritelli, The Washington Examiner, 9 Oct. 2026
Instead of responding with just text, ChatGPT will now add graphics, tappable buttons, forms, charts, and interactive tools to make complex topics easier to understand.

— Jibin Joseph, PC Magazine, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of topic

Verb

Exec produced by Sylvester Stallone and filmed in British Columbia, the show challenges ordinary people to survive alone in an unforgiving wilderness with no training, no supplies, and no contact with the outside world.

— Max Goldbart, Deadline, 11 Oct. 2026
The archaic legal restrictions restricting same-sex couples or unmarried women, for example, are acknowledged and adhered to, rather than being openly challenged or criticized.

— Guy Lodge, Variety, 11 Oct. 2026

Definition of challenge

Verb

The data from late 2025 and early 2026 points to a market that is no longer debating whether AI belongs in retail, but who gets to set the terms.

— Lauren Schuster, Charlotte Observer, 9 Oct. 2026
The exact quantity of water consumed by AI data centers remains debated.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of debate

Verb

France’s debt-to-GDP ratio is expected to climb to 122% next year from 119% this year, and the government’s latest plan failed to halt the surge in bond yields as investors doubted its credibility.

— Jason Ma, Fortune, 10 Oct. 2026
Moya went from doubting her ability to handle full-time work to thriving on it.

— Steve Lopez, Los Angeles Times, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of doubt

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questing

question

questionable

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Style

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

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Synonyms of question

noun

verb

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Synonyms of question

noun

verb

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