interrogate

American  

[in-ter-uh-geyt] / ɪnˈtɛr əˌgeɪt /

verb (used with object)

interrogated, interrogating

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.

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verb (used without object)

interrogated, interrogating

1. to ask questions, especially formally or officially.

   the right to interrogate.

interrogate British  

/ ɪnˈtɛrəˌɡeɪt /

verb

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

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Other Word Forms

• interrogable adjective
• interrogatingly adverb
• interrogee noun
• reinterrogate verb
• uninterrogable adjective
• uninterrogated adjective

Etymology

Origin of interrogate

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-

Example Sentences

It’s a culpability we should all interrogate, not immediately purge.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 24, 2026

“When I have party meetings and they bring executives that are likely to be witnesses, I interrogate the executives,” he said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 8, 2026

With such blatant motives, the press can either interrogate this relationship or help legitimize it.

From Salon • Jan. 5, 2026

What does it mean to label a call for equality “antisemitic”? Let us interrogate this accusation.

From Slate • Jan. 1, 2026

Children and servants are two groups they always interrogate.

From "How the García Girls Lost Their Accents" by Julia Alvarez

Related Words

• examine
• grill
• investigate
• query
• quiz