Synonyms

investigate

American

[in-ves-ti-geyt] / ɪnˈvɛs tɪˌgeɪt /

verb (used with object)

investigated, investigating

to examine, study, or inquire into systematically; search or examine into the particulars of; examine in detail.
to search out and examine the particulars of in an attempt to learn the facts about something hidden, unique, or complex, especially in an attempt to find a motive, cause, or culprit.

The police are investigating the murder.

verb (used without object)

investigated, investigating

to make inquiry, examination, or investigation.

investigate British

/ ɪnˈvɛstɪˌɡeɪt /

verb

to inquire into (a situation or problem, esp a crime or death) thoroughly; examine systematically, esp in order to discover the truth

"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

investigable adjective
investigative adjective
investigator noun
investigatory adjective
preinvestigate verb
preinvestigator noun
quasi-investigated adjective
reinvestigate verb
uninvestigated adjective
uninvestigating adjective
uninvestigative adjective
uninvestigatory adjective
well-investigated adjective

Etymology

Origin of investigate

First recorded in 1500–10; from Latin investīgātus, past participle of investīgāre “to follow a trail, search out”; in- ², vestige, -ate ¹

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.

A spokeswoman referred questions to the company’s status page, which said that merchants might experience difficulties logging into the point-of-sale system and other problems that the company was investigating.

From The Wall Street Journal

In earlier work published in Nature Neuroscience this year, Watanabe applied the method to genetically engineered mice to investigate the role of a protein called intersectin.

From Science Daily

Authorities said they were investigating the hack, which exposed about 34 million accounts.

From Barron's

On Nov. 24, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed that the Pentagon was investigating whether Kelly, a retired Navy captain and combat pilot, had violated military law with the video.

From Salon

Police officers investigating the Post Office Horizon IT scandal are now considering corporate manslaughter charges.

From BBC

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023