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Synonyms

interrogation

American  
[in-ter-uh-gey-shuhn] / ɪnˌtɛr əˈgeɪ ʃən /

noun

  1. the act of interrogating; questioning.

  2. an instance of being interrogated.

    He seemed shaken after his interrogation.

  3. a question; inquiry.

  4. a written list of questions.

  5. an interrogation point; question mark.


interrogation British  
/ ɪnˌtɛrəˈɡeɪʃən /

noun

  1. the technique, practice, or an instance of interrogating

  2. a question or query

  3. telecomm the transmission of one or more triggering pulses to a transponder

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

Etymology

Origin of interrogation

1350–1400; Middle English interrogacio ( u ) n < Latin interrogātiōn- (stem of interrogātiō ). See interrogate, -ion

Explanation

An interrogation is a question or an intense questioning session. Police do interrogations of suspects all the time. Have you ever heard someone say, "What is this? An interrogation?" People say that when they feel like they're being questioned a little too much. An interrogation can mean a single question or a series of questions. Police stations usually have interrogation rooms for questioning suspects. When someone is doing an interrogation, they're looking for answers, and it's usually about something very serious.

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Vocabulary lists containing interrogation

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Interrogation of suspects involved in the attempted coup on Monday was due to begin and the military would issue a statement shortly, spokesman Mohamed Al Faki Suleiman said.

From Reuters • Sep. 21, 2021

I had picked up Kapil’s book, “The Vertical Interrogation of Strangers,” just a few weeks earlier.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 2, 2021

Mitchell gave that chilling description in his memoir, Enhanced Interrogation, and on the witness stand on Thursday, he confirmed the Preacher’s role at the CIA black sites.

From The Guardian • Jan. 25, 2020

The title of Burns’s movie refers to a study of the C.I.A.’s Detention and Interrogation Program that was commissioned by the Senate Intelligence Committee.

From The New Yorker • Nov. 15, 2019

“Interrogation Room One. Interrogation Room Two. Isolation Room One,” she whispered, her flashlight flickering across the words like an anxious firefly.

From "Uglies" by Scott Westerfeld

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