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

“I think this will reveal itself, and I think we have a responsibility to interrogate ourselves. I’m not naive about that, and that includes all of us, individually,” Newsom said in a video address.

From Los Angeles Times

Some were interrogated about their involvement with Scarlett’s pay equity survey and were told their activities were being monitored, and that they could be demoted, according to the complaint.

From Los Angeles Times

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 following day, Oakland police were interrogating Sanchez for an unrelated incident, but contacted Hayward investigators about the his father’s well-being “based on statement Sanchez made during their investigation.”

From Los Angeles Times

Lurking behind Foreman’s madhouse phantasmagorias is the mind of the artist interrogating its own secret chambers.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• examine
• grill
• investigate
• query
• quiz