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Synonyms

interrogator

American  
[in-ter-uh-gey-ter] / ɪnˈtɛr əˌgeɪ tər /

noun

  1. a person who interrogates.

  2. Also called challenger.  Radio. a transmitter that emits a signal to trigger a transponder.

interrogator British  
/ ɪnˈtɛrəˌɡeɪtə /

noun

  1. a person who interrogates

  2. a radio or radar transmitter used to send interrogating signals

"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

Etymology

Origin of interrogator

1745–55; < Late Latin interrogātor; see interrogate, -tor

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.

With this method, a device called an interrogator shoots laser pulses down the length of a cable, and some of the light bounces back.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 9, 2026

"I made a mistake," he says, his voice trembling as an unseen interrogator presses him about the deaths of members of Iran's security forces.

From Barron's • Jan. 26, 2026

In April 1964 the MI5 interrogator Arthur Martin confronted Blunt, and promised him immunity from prosecution.

From BBC • Jan. 13, 2025

I won’t say more because that might get into FBI interrogator territory.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 15, 2024

He was asked for his name, address, age, type of work, etc., and although Bobby claimed that he answered the questions dutifully, there was something suspicious about him, according to the police interrogator.

From "Endgame" by Frank Brady

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

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.