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query

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verb

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb query contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of query are ask, inquire, interrogate, and question. While all these words mean "to address a person in order to gain information," query implies a desire for authoritative information or confirmation.

queried a librarian about the book

When might ask be a better fit than query?

In some situations, the words ask and query are roughly equivalent. However, ask implies no more than the putting of a question.

ask for directions

When can inquire be used instead of query?

While in some cases nearly identical to query, 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 interrogate take the place of query?

The synonyms interrogate and query are sometimes interchangeable, but interrogate suggests formal or official systematic questioning.

the prosecutor interrogated the witness all day

Where would question be a reasonable alternative to query?

The words question and query are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 query
Noun
So a query on just what to wear to a wedding in Miami in December will pull up a carousel of options that can be added to one’s cart and bought immediately. Evan Clark, Footwear News, 9 Sep. 2025 The new Siri will be able to better fulfill queries by tapping into the open web, on-screen content and a user’s data. Bloomberg, Mercury News, 9 Sep. 2025
Verb
When queried why no women were being spotlighted for a Heart of Sarajevo award this year, Marjanović put it down to scheduling. Diana Lodderhose, Deadline, 12 Aug. 2025 Mohamed Salah, a forward who plays for Liverpool FC in England and captains the Egyptian national team, queried the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) over its message posted in response to the death of Palestinian player Suleiman al-Obeid. Peter Aitken, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for query
Recent Examples of Synonyms for query
Noun
  • From the outside, Laura could be loving, protective, overbearing, even intrusive — while Cherry sows doubt for hiding pieces of her past despite ostensibly adoring her new beau.
    Proma Khosla, IndieWire, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Basically, slap on a pair of gloves or leave the washing to someone else if ever there is a doubt.
    Audrey Bruno, SELF, 10 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • La Luz del Mundo did not respond to a request for comment.
    Luc Cohen, USA Today, 12 Sep. 2025
  • The request was met with boos from some Democrats who pointed out that a Colorado school shooting on the same day had not received the same ceremony.
    Chad de Guzman, Time, 11 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • However, local authorities later said the individual had been questioned and released.
    Jordan King, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Sep. 2025
  • Republican and Democratic lawmakers questioned the tactics after the earlier strike.
    George Petras, USA Today, 15 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Ahead of Kirk's visit to Utah Valley University, some students started an online petition asking university administrators to stop him from coming.
    Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 11 Sep. 2025
  • When asked by a reporter for more details about how Trump planned to ban mail-in ballots, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said that the administration planned to work with Republicans on Capitol Hill and in state legislatures.
    Hailey Bullis, The Washington Examiner, 11 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Both sides have also carried out arbitrary detentions, with SAF interrogating and beating dozens of Christians in 2024 and 2025.
    Paul Tilsley, FOXNews.com, 14 Sep. 2025
  • In the hours after the shooting, authorities detained two people, including one interrogated by law enforcement.
    Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 12 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Many of the amendments are likely to spark infighting among Republicans as the party battles over whether to become more isolationist in the face of skepticism about assisting foreign countries.
    Rachel Schilke, The Washington Examiner, 10 Sep. 2025
  • The announcement from Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham landed with both excitement and skepticism.
    Jennifer Jay Palumbo, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Meanwhile, analytical software has revolutionized linguistic inquiry, enabling greater understanding of the ways language works—when, how, and why words break out; the specific contexts for expressions and idioms.
    Stefan Fatsis, The Atlantic, 13 Sep. 2025
  • The Federal Trade Commission has launched an inquiry into several social media and artificial intelligence companies about the potential harms to children and teenagers who use their AI chatbots as companions.
    Barbara Ortutay, Fortune, 12 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • But over the past few years, conservatives have used the committee as a personal tool to subvert and challenge GOP leaders.
    Rachel Schilke, The Washington Examiner, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Foreign-aid organizations challenged the administration's ability to refuse to spend funds already allocated by Congress.
    Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Query.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/query. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.

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