inquire

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb inquire contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of inquire are ask, interrogate, query, and question. While all these words mean "to address a person in order to gain information," inquire implies a searching for facts or for truth often specifically by asking questions.

began to inquire of friends and teachers what career she should pursue

In what contexts can ask take the place of inquire?

The words ask and inquire can be used in similar contexts, but ask implies no more than the putting of a question.

ask for directions

When might interrogate be a better fit than inquire?

Although the words interrogate and inquire have much in common, interrogate suggests formal or official systematic questioning.

the prosecutor interrogated the witness all day

When can query be used instead of inquire?

The meanings of query and inquire largely overlap; however, query implies a desire for authoritative information or confirmation.

queried a librarian about the book

Where would question be a reasonable alternative to inquire?

The synonyms question and inquire are sometimes interchangeable, but question usually suggests the asking of series of questions.

questioned them about every detail of the trip

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of inquire No explanation was given for the withdrawal, and her attorney, Tony Buzbee, declined to comment on the matter when Newsweek inquired. Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 15 Feb. 2025 The latest: Axios inquired, but the governor's office did not have new details about its plan Tuesday. Joe Guillen, Axios, 11 Feb. 2025 Chamberlin is bullish on the Australian consumer — 4,000 of them inquired about the brand to him directly in the past year — and he was attracted to Mecca’s philosophy on brick-and-mortar. James Manso, WWD, 4 Feb. 2025 A number of readers have inquired as to the status of garden soil or landscaped ground following a fire. Joshua Siskin, Orange County Register, 8 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for inquire
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inquire
Verb
  • Important questions to ask include but are not limited to: Who made the list?
    Lance Eliot, Forbes, 5 Mar. 2025
  • School board member Roberto Alonso also spoke at the February meeting and aligned himself with Gallon, asking the school district to provide a memo related to how BusPatrol revenue is being spent.
    Clara-Sophia Daly, Miami Herald, 5 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Breast biopsy: Your provider may take a tissue sample to examine the cells under a microscope.
    Carrie Madormo, RN, Health, 27 Feb. 2025
  • According to a probable-cause affidavit obtained by NJ.com, troopers performing a load securement check asked to examine how the tractor-trailer’s doors were sealed.
    Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 27 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Disillusioned with subjective, surface-level modes of art-making, Gaines began to question his purpose.
    Meka Boyle, Los Angeles Times, 5 Mar. 2025
  • Offering those options has not been easy in the traditional era of distribution deals, but the rates of cord-cutting have made both programmers and operators more willing to question the usual assumptions.
    Dade Hayes, Deadline, 5 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Inquire.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inquire. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on inquire

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