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

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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 Criticism is meant to interrogate a feeling and then root that in context psychologically and culturally. — Jasmine Vojdani, Vulture, 1 Aug. 2026 The tenth year of experience doesn't interrogate the first nine. — Vibhas Ratanjee, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026 One day scholars will teach Lepore’s work alongside Arendt’s, seeing that Lepore interrogates not simply a modern moment, but traces our current machine age back to the 17th-century conceit for artifice as improvement. — Bethanne Patrick, Los Angeles Times, 31 July 2026 To that end, 14th attempts to interrogate a promise powerful enough to change a nation — and controversial enough to divide it for more than 150 years. — Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 21 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for interrogate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for interrogate

Verb

In their final days together, Alexander said Beloozerov asked him to go to his office and return his laptop and security cards for him.

— Isabelle Chapman, CNN Money, 10 Aug. 2026
Helaena asks Rhaenyra in House of the Dragon’s third-season finale.

— Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of ask

Verb

Schrell examined whether annual production campaigns would be more effective, but concluded that the approach would not make economic or operational sense because of costs, limited hot-cell capacity and the isotope’s relatively short half-life.

— Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 10 Aug. 2026
Young Washington stars William Franklyn-Miller as Washington, which examines how a single misstep thrusts the future first president into the middle of a global conflict.

— Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of examine

Verb

The attorney also said Acevedo Sanchez was not questioned until he was taken to an ICE holding facility in downtown Baltimore.

— Adam Thompson, CBS News, 10 Aug. 2026
Nvidia's effort challenges that assumption, transforming AI compute capacity into long-term, bankable infrastructure, though skeptics may question whether AI chips can retain their value as newer generations emerge.

— Hugh Son, CNBC, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of question

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interring

interrogate

interrogated

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“Interrogate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/interrogate. Accessed 13 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of interrogate

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