as in investigation
a systematic search for the truth or facts about something
there's no need to conduct an inquisition about so trivial a matter
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 inquisition
Cheney consistently defended the extraordinary tools of surveillance, detention and inquisition employed in response to the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.
—
Calvin Woodward, Fortune, 4 Nov. 2025
Fear, devotion, inquisition, obsession, admiration – all attention is good attention.
—Literary Hub, 3 Nov. 2025
As decent people resign, they’re replaced with people eager or at least willing to participate in Trump’s partisan inquisition.
—David French, Mercury News, 30 Sep. 2025
By the time Ono came before his second trial by inquisition, this one at the hands of the governors of the State University System, the counterassault was well and truly underway.
—Ron Cunningham, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for inquisition
Calvin Woodward, Fortune, 4 Nov. 2025
Fear, devotion, inquisition, obsession, admiration – all attention is good attention.
—Literary Hub, 3 Nov. 2025
As decent people resign, they’re replaced with people eager or at least willing to participate in Trump’s partisan inquisition.
—David French, Mercury News, 30 Sep. 2025
By the time Ono came before his second trial by inquisition, this one at the hands of the governors of the State University System, the counterassault was well and truly underway.
—Ron Cunningham, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for inquisition
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inquisition
Noun
-
Anyone can trigger an adult protection investigation by calling The Florida Abuse Hotline, 1-800-96 ABUSE.—
Carol Marbin Miller,
Miami Herald,
2 Apr. 2026
-
The investigation revealed that the man near the scene was the child's uncle, who was the last person known to be responsible for the child's care, police said.—
Brandon Downs,
CBS News,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Either Empire or Lowe’s will handle future customer service inquiries and warranty claims.—
Dan Simms,
USA Today,
2 Apr. 2026
-
The realms of philosophy and religion have sometimes intersected in conducting such inquiries as these.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Whether this turns out to be a goofy bit of fluff or an actual examination of power dynamics in relationships is yet to be determined (though the trailer suggests the former).—
Emily Temple,
Literary Hub,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Included in the analysis were examinations of pay distribution, employment conditions, labor load and education rates of a demographic that makes up 39% of the Golden State’s labor force.—
Nicole Macias Garibay,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
While the crew will not land on the moon, NASA said the lunar flyby mission is designed to test life support systems and critical operations, paving the way for future moon landings and Mars exploration.—
Thao Nguyen,
USA Today,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Inside the University of Texas at Arlington planetarium, students and space enthusiasts gathered to witness the next chapter in lunar exploration.—
Erin Jones,
CBS News,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Julia Gomez is a Trending reporter for USA TODAY and covers popular toys, scientific studies, natural disasters, holidays, and trending news.—
Julia Gomez,
USA Today,
2 Apr. 2026
-
The school integrates four years of rigorous academics with four years of professional work experience through its corporate work study program.—
Christina Mayo,
Miami Herald,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Hernandez alone, as placement coordinator, made the selections, Shackelford testified as part of an extensive Inspector General probe.—
Carol Marbin Miller,
Miami Herald,
2 Apr. 2026
-
The science payload to be landed there includes seismometers, a drill to allow emplacement of heat flow and electrical conductivity probes, and instruments to study the magnetic field and surface weathering.—
Richard Tribou,
The Orlando Sentinel,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The hosts also talk about Prasad’s second exit from the FDA and a congressman’s probing of the agency’s rare disease drug denials.—
Adam Feuerstein,
STAT,
12 Mar. 2026
-
To this end, the event was likely either a misunderstanding or a deliberate probing of China’s aerial defense response.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
21 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Inquisition.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inquisition. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
