investigate

[ in-ves-ti-geyt ]

/ ɪnˈvɛs tɪˌgeɪt /

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See synonyms for: investigate / investigated / investigating / investigative on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object), in·ves·ti·gat·ed, in·ves·ti·gat·ing.

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), in·ves·ti·gat·ed, in·ves·ti·gat·ing.

to make inquiry, examination, or investigation.

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of investigate

1500–10; <Latin investīgātus, past participle of investīgāre to follow a trail, search out. See in-², vestige, -ate¹

OTHER WORDS FROM investigate

in·ves·ti·ga·tive, in·ves·ti·ga·to·ry

[in-ves-ti-guh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee], /ɪnˈvɛs tɪ gəˌtɔr i, -ˌtoʊr i/, adjectivein·ves·ti·ga·tor, nounpre·in·ves·ti·gate, verb, pre·in·ves·ti·gat·ed, pre·in·ves·ti·gat·ing.pre·in·ves·ti·ga·tor, noun

qua·si-in·ves·ti·gat·ed, adjectivere·in·ves·ti·gate, verb, re·in·ves·ti·gat·ed, re·in·ves·ti·gat·ing.un·in·ves·ti·gat·ed, adjectiveun·in·ves·ti·gat·ing, adjectiveun·in·ves·ti·ga·tive, adjectiveun·in·ves·ti·ga·to·ry, adjectivewell-in·ves·ti·gat·ed, adjective

Words nearby investigate

invert soap, invert sugar, invest, investable, investigable, investigate, investigation, investigative new drug, investigator, investitive, investiture

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use investigate in a sentence

Now that he’s finally gone there’s an opportunity to explore and investigate a lot more of what’s going on under the hood.
Even with expansion into other categories, Crooked plans to keep things political|Max Willens|February 12, 2021|Digiday
Detectives are continuing to investigate leads and conduct interviews, police said.
Fairfax County police identify victim of fatal shooting in Reston|Justin Jouvenal|February 11, 2021|Washington Post
When Umansky tried to find out whether the Police Department would investigate the cops’ actions, he discovered all the ways the NYPD is shielded from accountability.
ProPublica’s “NYPD Files” Wins John Jay College/Harry Frank Guggenheim Award for Excellence in Criminal Justice Reporting|by ProPublica|February 11, 2021|ProPublica
Detectives remained at the scene investigating Wednesday evening.
Police looking for suspect who fled scene of homicide Wednesday in Reston|Justin Jouvenal|February 10, 2021|Washington Post

When they reported the crimes, police sometimes failed to investigate or prosecutors declined to file charges.
Two ProPublica Local Reporting Network Projects Named Finalists for Shadid Award for Journalism Ethics|by ProPublica|February 8, 2021|ProPublica
When there were disputes between students, Mecallari would leave one party with Ramos while he went to investigate.
In The Shadow of Murdered Cops|Michael Daly|December 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Starr stresses that universities are required under Title IX to investigate and intervene in sexual assault cases.
Is Columbia Failing Campus Rape Victims?|Lizzie Crocker|November 6, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The campaign also said that they would be asking state and federal authorities to investigate.
Grimes Campaign “Exploring Legal Options” Against McConnell|Ben Jacobs|October 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The National Transportation Safety Board also will investigate the crash, a spokesman told The Daily Beast.
SpaceShipTwo Flew on Untested Rocket|Dave Majumdar, Clive Irving|October 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Vita activists have demanded that police investigate how the sea creatures appeared in Moscow and why.
Activists: Moscow Sea Park Is ‘Torturing’ Its Orca Whales|Anna Nemtsova|October 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
I resolved to investigate the matter, as it was only verbal, so that it might not become public.
The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898, Volume XX, 1621-1624|Various
Twenty baskets of it were obtained by the said miners to assay and investigate its nature, and determine what it might be.
The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898, Volume XX, 1621-1624|Various
In 1901 he went to India to investigate for the Government the railways there, and to report upon them.
Fifty Years of Railway Life in England, Scotland and Ireland|Joseph Tatlow
It would be curious to investigate the feelings of princes on occasions so momentous to themselves and to their people.
Journal of a Voyage to Brazil|Maria Graham
He halted to investigate and find out what was wrong, and at that moment a startled cry came from Clip.
Motor Matt's "Century" Run|Stanley R. Matthews

British Dictionary definitions for investigate

investigate

/ (ɪnˈvɛstɪˌɡeɪt) /

verb

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

Derived forms of investigate

investigable, adjectiveinvestigative or investigatory, adjective

Word Origin for investigate

C16: from Latin investīgāre to search after, from in- ² + vestīgium track; see vestige

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

investigate

Origin of investigate

OTHER WORDS FROM investigate

Words nearby investigate

Words related to investigate

How to use investigate in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for investigate

Derived forms of investigate

Word Origin for investigate