interrogate

[ in-ter-uh-geyt ]

verb (used with object)

, in·ter·ro·gat·ed, in·ter·ro·gat·ing.

1. to ask questions of (a person), sometimes to seek answers or information that the person questioned considers personal or secret.

   Synonyms: query

2. to examine by questions; question formally:

   The police captain interrogated the suspect.

3. to analyze (an idea or belief), especially by thoroughly and dispassionately questioning its underlying assumptions:

   The antiwork movement seeks to interrogate the concept of work as we know it today.

verb (used without object)

, in·ter·ro·gat·ed, in·ter·ro·gat·ing.

1. to ask questions, especially formally or officially:

   the right to interrogate.

interrogate

/ ɪnˈtɛrəˌɡeɪt /

verb

1. to ask questions (of), esp to question (a witness in court, spy, etc) closely

Derived Forms

• inˈterroˌgatingly, adverb

Other Words From

• in·ter·ro·ga·ble [in-, ter, -, uh, -g, uh, -b, uh, l], adjective
• in·ter·ro·gat·ing·ly adverb
• in·ter·ro·gee [in-ter-, uh, -, gee], noun
• re·in·ter·ro·gate verb reinterrogated reinterrogating
• un·in·ter·ro·ga·ble adjective
• un·in·ter·ro·gat·ed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of interrogate¹

First recorded in 1475–85; from Latin interrogātus, past participle of interrogāre “to question, examine,” equivalent to inter- “between, among, together” + rogā(re) “to ask” + -tus past participle suffix; inter-

Word History and Origins

Origin of interrogate¹

C15: from Latin interrogāre to question, examine, from rogāre to ask

Example Sentences

Marianna Spring investigated this story using her Undercover Voters - five fictional characters based on data from the Pew Research Centre - that allow her to interrogate what some different users are recommended on social media.

From BBC

The attacker had admitted during his federal trial that he planned to hold Mrs Pelosi hostage, interrogate her on camera and "break her kneecaps" if she did not admit to what he claimed were her lies.

From BBC

Governor Ron DeSantis’ administration has worked hard to kneecap the rights-restoring proposal, reportedly sending state troopers to interrogate petition signers and threatening to prosecute television stations that run ads supporting the measure.

From Salon

Rumours have long swirled about the uses of Diego Garcia, including that it has been used as a CIA black-site - a facility used to house and interrogate terror suspects.

From BBC

How much, if at all, did you intend to interrogate football and the NFL as a cultural institution in making this series?

From Salon

Related Words

• examine
• grill
• investigate
• query
• quiz