Synonyms of interrogate

interrogate

verb

in-ˈter-ə-ˌgāt 

1

as in to ask

to put a question or questions to

interrogated him about where he'd gone the night before

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

2

as in to examine

to put a series of questions to

police interrogated the murder suspect for hours on end

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonym Chooser

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

Recent Examples of interrogate

The second part, though, is that AI provides opportunities for CEOs to have a virtual board of directors, a new person on the team, and a way of interrogating their own thinking which may reduce the loneliness of being a CEO. — Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 25 Sep. 2026

Brittin has spent his early months in the job interrogating whether the broadcaster’s output is properly meeting audience needs and is said to be clear-eyed about shifting resources away from services that are dwindling in influence. — Jake Kanter, Deadline, 23 Sep. 2026

The previous investigations were stalled because Haitian judges kept resigning from the case, fearing for their lives, and gangs seized control of the downtown Port-au-Prince courthouse where the judges were interrogating suspects. — Evens Sanon, Arkansas Online, 21 Sep. 2026

His attorney’s office says he was interrogated without pain medication, while the Department of Homeland Security has released few details about what prompted the shooting. — Anna Wilder, Los Angeles Times, 21 Sep. 2026