inquisitor

noun

in·​quis·​i·​tor in-ˈkwi-zə-tər 

: one who inquires or makes inquisition

especially : one who is unduly harsh, severe, or hostile in making an inquiry

inquisitorial

in-ˌkwi-zə-ˈtȯr-ē-əl 

adjective

inquisitorially

in-ˌkwi-zə-ˈtȯr-ē-ə-lē 

adverb

Examples of inquisitor in a Sentence

He had to answer his inquisitors' questions or be thrown out of school.

Recent Examples on the Web

The final syllable hadn’t quite rolled off the tongue of the inquisitor and Charles Lee chuckled, fully aware what was coming next as if there were a pack of tarot cards stacked in front of him. —Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 23 Jan. 2025

Buckner stood, stoic and patient, answering for his mistake until every inquisitor was satisfied. —Nicholas Dawidoff, The New Yorker, 26 Oct. 2024

An artificial intelligence responsible for life support is suspected of murder and an inquisitor specializing in AI is sent to solve the case. —Diana Lodderhose, Deadline, 13 June 2024

An inquisitor specializing in artificial intelligence is sent to solve the case. —Leo Barraclough, Variety, 2 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1504, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

inquisitor

noun

in·​quis·​i·​tor in-ˈkwiz-ət-ər 

: one who conducts an inquisition

inquisitorial

-ˌkwiz-ə-ˈtōr-ē-əl 

-ˈtȯr-

adjective