question 1 of 2

Definition of questionnext
1
as in problem
an interrogative expression often used to test knowledge because I have missed so many classes, I had a hard time answering every question on today's surprise quiz

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Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
as in request
an act or instance of asking for information after reading the brief statement to the reporters, the lawyer ended the press conference by saying, "No more questions, please" the dozens of questions researched by the reference librarians

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

3
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question

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to challenge
to demand proof of the truth or rightness of the teenager openly questioned the authority of the town's police force to impose a curfew on residents under the age of 18

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
3
as in to doubt
to have no trust or confidence in it was apparent that voters were questioning the President's ability to manage the economy

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

4
as in to ask
to put a question or questions to the press should be allowed to question public officials about any matter of general interest

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

5
as in to examine
to put a series of questions to the police questioned the suspect before deciding that there was insufficient evidence to hold him

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb question contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of question are ask, inquire, interrogate, and query. While all these words mean "to address a person in order to gain information," question usually suggests the asking of series of questions.

questioned them about every detail of the trip

When can ask be used instead of question?

Although the words ask and question have much in common, ask implies no more than the putting of a question.

ask for directions

In what contexts can inquire take the place of question?

While in some cases nearly identical to question, 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

When could interrogate be used to replace question?

The meanings of interrogate and question largely overlap; however, interrogate suggests formal or official systematic questioning.

the prosecutor interrogated the witness all day

When would query be a good substitute for question?

In some situations, the words query and question are roughly equivalent. However, query implies a desire for authoritative information or confirmation.

queried a librarian about the book

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 question
Noun
The answer to that question is related to a discovery about Neanderthals included in yesterday's newsletter. Brittney Melton, NPR, 15 May 2026 As early as June of last year, Reuters reported, Høeg brought up safety questions about treatments for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in infants that had already been FDA-approved. Aria Bendix, NBC news, 15 May 2026
Verb
Two days after being questioned, Rodriguez Singh, her husband and six children boarded a flight to India. Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 16 May 2026 On Thursday, May 14, Michael's nephew shared a post on X in response to a fan account questioning why the other bandmates didn't have as fruitful careers. Ilana Kaplan, PEOPLE, 15 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for question
Recent Examples of Synonyms for question
Noun
  • In other words, Greg had thought insomnia a problem of the rich, the weak, the useless, the indulgent, the lazy.
    Weike Wang, New Yorker, 17 May 2026
  • But these problems are symptoms of a lack of housing and services, not evidence that policing is the right response.
    Shianne LeClaire, Hartford Courant, 17 May 2026
Noun
  • All rooms feature wheelchair-accessible doors, lowered peepholes, light switches, and closet door handles; a roll-in shower or tub with grab bars; and teletypewriters and telecommunications devices available upon request.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 May 2026
  • Judge Nicholas Garaufis must still approve the request.
    Michael R. Sisak, Los Angeles Times, 19 May 2026
Noun
  • Sherilyn Fenn's character, Audrey Horne, technically competed, but was only briefly featured in the episode because of the actress' staunch objection.
    Angela Andaloro, PEOPLE, 16 May 2026
  • Ars reviewed several objections to the settlement, as well as letters from objectors who claimed that the authors’ legal team was trying to unfairly shut them out from voicing concerns.
    Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 15 May 2026
Noun
  • The conservatism that would eventually hobble the daytime soap had its roots in this era, when soap viewers with especially fragile sensibilities had specific conceptions of what topics a soap should cover and made no bones about airing their protests.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 18 May 2026
  • Ironically, one of the few issues that Jeffries is identified with is the very topic that now most threatens to divide the Democratic Party.
    Jason Zengerle, New Yorker, 18 May 2026
Verb
  • Under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), there is no residency requirement to file a lawsuit challenging a project’s environmental review.
    James Ward, USA Today, 15 May 2026
  • Bates also expressed concern that, under the Administration’s view of the case, its determination that the Presidential Records Act is unconstitutional cannot be challenged in court.
    Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 14 May 2026
Verb
  • Archaeologists then debated whether the tunnel was some kind of underground agricultural or industrial installation, but its scale and uniqueness in the region ruled out that possibility.
    Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 16 May 2026
  • Some of the best scenes in Clarissa are when the young friends gather around the table to debate the state of postcolonial literature and the irony of a newly democratic nation under military rule.
    Lovia Gyarkye, HollywoodReporter, 16 May 2026
Verb
  • Former National Security Adviser John Bolton doubts that Raúl Castro had any interest in making a deal that would satisfy the desire for democracy in Cuba.
    Chris Kenning, USA Today, 21 May 2026
  • But some doubt that the nonagenarian Castro, who turns 95 in June, will ever be brought to justice in the United States.
    Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 20 May 2026
Verb
  • On the topic of arresting homeless people, moderators asked how Bianco's sheriff's office has been known to do.
    James Ward, USA Today, 15 May 2026
  • Patients were concerned too, and some asked Hulse what would happen to the new clinic after her team left.
    Clayton Dalton, New Yorker, 15 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Question.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/question. Accessed 21 May. 2026.

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