interrogative

1 of 2

adjective

in·​ter·​rog·​a·​tive ˌin-tə-ˈrä-gə-tiv How to pronounce interrogative (audio)
1
a
: used in a question
b
: having the form or force of a question
2
interrogatively adverb

interrogative

2 of 2

noun

1
: a word (such as who, what, which) or a particle (such as Latin -ne) used in asking questions
2

Examples of interrogative in a Sentence

Adjective “Did you go to school today?” is an interrogative sentence. an interrogative pronoun such as “who” She had an interrogative expression on her face. an interrogative tone of voice Noun though she phrased it as an interrogative, it was clear that the utterance was more of a command
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Adjective
The statues felt interrogative, like something or someone was already disappointed in me. Maya Ibbitson, Architectural Digest, 12 Sep. 2024 The series takes an interrogative approach to its source material, framing Rice’s iconic goth novel and its 1994 film adaptation as the previous version of its story, one in which the vampire Louis de Pointe du Lac (Jacob Anderson) lies and deceives his interviewer, Daniel Molloy (Eric Bogosian). Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 10 May 2024 Audit your schedule with this interrogative prompt. Jodie Cook, Forbes, 23 Feb. 2024 Her interrogative installations use collage, painting and light to create off kilter realities laced with social commentary. Briana Miller, oregonlive, 8 Sep. 2023 Other interrogative terms typically solicit specific information. Seyward Darby, Longreads, 17 Aug. 2022 These law enforcement officers had been trained in all the interrogative techniques that are utilized to elicit a confession. Eric Fleischauer The Decatur Daily, al, 2 Dec. 2022 Here are nine animating, searching, and interrogative titles with which to start. Talya Zax, The Atlantic, 26 June 2022 But Smaker is on a different mission in her searing film, the very existence of which often feels like a miracle and an interrogative act of defiance. Tomris Laffly, Variety, 24 Jan. 2022
Noun
How about: to the huge, throbbing interrogative that is America at the end of 2019. James Parker, The Atlantic, 10 Nov. 2019 But Zuckerberg didn’t reply to any hallway interrogatives. Chad Pergram, Fox News, 11 Apr. 2018 Owing either to marketing efforts or issues that can only be determined in a therapy session, the signature hits of the Canadian child star’s adult career have boasted choruses as interrogatives. Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 17 Aug. 2017

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1522, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of interrogative was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near interrogative

Cite this Entry

“Interrogative.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/interrogative. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

interrogative

1 of 2 adjective
in·​ter·​rog·​a·​tive ˌint-ə-ˈräg-ət-iv How to pronounce interrogative (audio)
1
: having the form or force of a question
an interrogative phrase
2
: used in a question
an interrogative pronoun
interrogatively adverb

interrogative

2 of 2 noun
: a word (as who, what, which) used in asking questions

More from Merriam-Webster on interrogative

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