interrogate

[in-ter-uh-geyt]

verb (used with object)

interrogated, interrogating 

1. to ask questions of (a person), sometimes to seek answers or information that the person questioned considers personal or secret.

   Synonyms: query

2. to examine by questions; question formally.

   The police captain interrogated the suspect.

3. to analyze (an idea or belief), especially by thoroughly and dispassionately questioning its underlying assumptions.

   The antiwork movement seeks to interrogate the concept of work as we know it today.

verb (used without object)

interrogated, interrogating 

1. to ask questions, especially formally or officially.

   the right to interrogate.

interrogate

/ ɪnˈtɛrəˌɡeɪt /

verb

1. to ask questions (of), esp to question (a witness in court, spy, etc) closely

Other Word Forms

• interrogatingly adverb
• interrogable adjective
• interrogee noun
• reinterrogate verb
• uninterrogable adjective
• uninterrogated adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of interrogate¹

First recorded in 1475–85; from Latin interrogātus, past participle of interrogāre “to question, examine,” equivalent to inter- “between, among, together” + rogā(re) “to ask” + -tus past participle suffix; inter-

Word History and Origins

Origin of interrogate¹

C15: from Latin interrogāre to question, examine, from rogāre to ask

Example Sentences

While I rightly expect proper scrutiny on me and my life, my family did not choose to have their private lives interrogated and exposed so publicly.

From BBC

Teaching forced her to interrogate technique — to ask, “Why do I do this?” — and in the process, decide what kind of cook she wanted to be.

From Salon

It has deployed 800 National Guard troops to patrol neighborhoods and established checkpoints to randomly stop and interrogate motorists, often over perceived violations of immigration law.

From Salon

We were blindfolded, repeatedly interrogated, and told that no-one could help us.

From BBC

She wants to help readers interrogate labels and fears they place on themselves, “especially as women, of not being the ‘right kind’ of woman.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• examine 
• grill 
• investigate 
• query 
• quiz