inquisition

noun

in·​qui·​si·​tion ˌin-kwə-ˈzi-shən 

ˌiŋ-

1

a

capitalized : a former Roman Catholic tribunal for the discovery and punishment of heresy

b

: an investigation conducted with little regard for individual rights

c

: a severe questioning

2

: a judicial or official inquiry or examination usually before a jury

also : the finding of the jury

3

: the act of inquiring : examination

inquisitional

ˌin-kwə-ˈzi-sh(ə-)nᵊl 

ˌiŋ-

adjective

Did you know?

While an inquiry can be almost any search for truth, the related word inquisition suggests a long, thorough investigation that involves extensive and harsh questioning. Though the two words originally had about the same meaning, today inquisition tends to remind us of the Spanish Inquisition, an ongoing trial conducted by church-appointed inquisitors that began in the Middle Ages and sought out nonbelievers, Jews, and Muslims, thousands of whom were sentenced to torture and to burning at the stake.

Synonyms

• delving
• disquisition
• examen
• examination
• exploration
• inquest
• inquiry
• investigation
• probation
• probe
• probing
• research
• study

Examples of inquisition in a Sentence

His political enemies were conducting an inquisition into the details of his personal life.

there's no need to conduct an inquisition about so trivial a matter

Recent Examples on the Web

Lost during last week’s inquisition into the Hail Mary and botched fullback dive was a careful examination of more macro issues the Bears are dealing with. —Brad Biggs, Chicago Tribune, 4 Nov. 2024

Her dark comedy The Antipodes imagines a writers’ room as an extractive inquisition with men demanding everyone spin their most personal confessions into content while munching on takeout and sipping LaCroix. —Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 17 June 2024

Before a search warrant is sought for a press room, a law office church or the office of a mental health professional, inquisition subpoenas or other available forms of investigation should be utilized. —Luke Barr, ABC News, 13 Aug. 2024

Today, Ignatius dominates his thoughts for different reasons; he was imprisoned three times by the Spanish inquisition for raising spiritual questions in public. —Eric Cortellessa, TIME, 25 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English inquisicioun, from Anglo-French inquisition, from Latin inquisition-, inquisitio, from inquirere

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Kids Definition

inquisition

noun

in·​qui·​si·​tion ˌin-kwə-ˈzish-ən 

1

: the act of inquiring

2

: inquest

3

a

capitalized : a former Roman Catholic court for the discovery and punishment of heresy

b

: an investigation conducted with little concern for individual rights

c

: a severe questioning

inquisitional

-ˈzish-nəl 

-ən-ᵊl

adjective

Legal Definition

inquisition

noun

in·​qui·​si·​tion ˌin-kwə-ˈzi-shən, ˌiŋ- 

1

: the act of inquiring or examining

2

: a judicial or official inquiry or examination usually before a jury

also : the finding that results from such an inquiry