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query

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verb

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb query contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of query are ask, inquire, interrogate, and question. While all these words mean "to address a person in order to gain information," query implies a desire for authoritative information or confirmation.

queried a librarian about the book

When might ask be a better fit than query?

In some situations, the words ask and query are roughly equivalent. However, ask implies no more than the putting of a question.

ask for directions

When can inquire be used instead of query?

While in some cases nearly identical to query, 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

In what contexts can interrogate take the place of query?

The synonyms interrogate and query are sometimes interchangeable, but interrogate suggests formal or official systematic questioning.

the prosecutor interrogated the witness all day

Where would question be a reasonable alternative to query?

The words question and query are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, question usually suggests the asking of series of questions.

questioned them about every detail of the trip

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 query
Noun
But Boles said his queries into the officiating showed the attenuators were overlooked by mistake — not on purpose. Jeff Gluck, New York Times, 22 May 2025 Starting this summer, AI Mode will start incorporating users’ past queries into its responses, said Liz Reid, head of search. Julia Shapero, The Hill, 21 May 2025
Verb
As explained here, a data lakehouse combines the structure, management and querying capabilities of a data warehouse, with the low-cost benefits of a data lake. Adrian Bridgwater, Forbes.com, 15 May 2025 For now, consumers will continue scrolling through Instagram and typing Google Search queries on their iPhones. Lisa Eadicicco, CNN Money, 11 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for query
Recent Examples of Synonyms for query
Noun
  • There were doubts Florida would ever consistently make the playoffs, let alone be annual Stanley Cup contenders.
    Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 30 May 2025
  • While some states, including Mississippi, have backed calls to divest public pensions from China, the southern state’s most recent asset disclosures cast some doubt over its commitment to doing so.
    Robert Schmad, The Washington Examiner, 30 May 2025
Noun
  • The White House did not respond to a request for comment.
    Joey Garrison, USA Today, 25 May 2025
  • Able Solutions has not responded to requests for comment.
    Colleen Shalby, Los Angeles Times, 24 May 2025
Verb
  • On Tuesday, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced that COVID-19 shots are no longer recommended for healthy children and pregnant women — a move immediately questioned by several public health experts.
    Carla K. Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 28 May 2025
  • Inside the car were three people identified as Yasmin Cobb, 18, Josiah Sneed, 21 and Clifton Ray Foster Jr., 25, who all have Texas addresses listed on their arrest reports All three were detained and taken to the HSI office for questioning.
    Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 28 May 2025
Verb
  • The first document Walker Wright asks Presley to sign is an acknowledgement that Walker Wright is representing Presley personally while also acting as the lawyer who drafted the contracts between Kruse, Presley, and a third partner, business adviser Kevin Fialko.
    Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 28 May 2025
  • Madrid sources, who asked to remain anonymous to protect relationships, believed his last months at PSG and somewhat difficult exit impacted his start at Madrid.
    Guillermo Rai, New York Times, 28 May 2025
Verb
  • Bong, the country’s most beloved movie figure, and allies laid down the gauntlet with their public pressure campaign: the forces that had made the lives of public entertainers so perilous needed to be exposed and interrogated, and the human rights of artists urgently required greater protection.
    Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 21 May 2025
  • Scenes of Gustav and Rachel feeling their way through his script, interrogating the characters’ motivations in rehearsal, encourage audiences to pose the same questions about the surrounding film.
    Peter Debruge, Variety, 21 May 2025
Noun
  • The idea that some demonstrators were being compensated sparked wider skepticism.
    Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 20 May 2025
  • Ziff, in spite of some family skepticism toward Margouleff and his scheme, agreed.
    Nick Paumgarten, New Yorker, 19 May 2025
Noun
  • But the teacher who wrote the Sept. 27, 2023, email included student names, and the teacher who wrote the Nov. 1, 2023 email provided student names in response to an inquiry by Williams-James, the two teachers told The Bee.
    Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 23 May 2025
  • The Oklahoma Department of Education and Walters' office did not respond to an inquiry from USA TODAY.
    Kayla Jimenez, USA Today, 23 May 2025
Verb
  • The character is a powerful metaphor of oppressed women, challenging patriarchal norms, and has emerged as a symbol of female strength and resilience within the Indian horror genre.
    Sunil Sadarangani, Deadline, 20 May 2025
  • This is an important step taken by France to challenge Iran’s hostage diplomacy.
    Dr. Ewelina U. Ochab, Forbes.com, 20 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Query.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/query. Accessed 2 Jun. 2025.

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