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 government minister employed a PR and lobbying firm to investigate journalists' sources before he entered Parliament.

From BBC

Enforcers sometimes investigate whether to block a merger because the acquirer is already too powerful in a given market.

From The Wall Street Journal

The task of diplomacy fell to WADA’s director general, who vowed to investigate all forms of doping.

From The Wall Street Journal

To really investigate gangrene, he would need to go where infection was far more plentiful; not the battlefield, but the hospital.

From The Wall Street Journal

But she still being investigated by HM Revenue and Customs over tax on her second home, with no sign of a final resolution being reached yet.

From BBC

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