investigate
verb
in·ves·ti·gate
in-ˈve-stə-ˌgāt 
investigated; investigating
: to observe or study by close examination and systematic inquiry
: to make a systematic examination
especially
: to conduct an official inquiry
Synonyms
Examples of investigate in a Sentence
The police are still investigating the murder.
The accident was thoroughly investigated.
The manager promised to investigate when we pointed out an error on our bill.
He was investigated for his involvement in the incident.
Recent Examples on the Web
But Bell Limbrick says Linda Hoos, USC’s vice president and Title IX coordinator, told her the same day that the firm’s actual intent was to investigate complaints and reports of misconduct by Bohn, including her own.
—
Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 10 Jan. 2025
Both Gonzalez and Machado are being investigated by the attorney general's office for alleged conspiracy, but only Gonzalez has a public warrant out for his arrest.
—USA TODAY, 10 Jan. 2025
The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation is continuing to investigate the shooting that resulted in Mr. Welch’s death.
—Hank Sanders, New York Times, 10 Jan. 2025
Cody police are investigating but haven’t yet identified a suspect.
—Brooke Baitinger, Idaho Statesman, 10 Jan. 2025
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Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 10 Jan. 2025
Both Gonzalez and Machado are being investigated by the attorney general's office for alleged conspiracy, but only Gonzalez has a public warrant out for his arrest.
—USA TODAY, 10 Jan. 2025
The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation is continuing to investigate the shooting that resulted in Mr. Welch’s death.
—Hank Sanders, New York Times, 10 Jan. 2025
Cody police are investigating but haven’t yet identified a suspect.
—Brooke Baitinger, Idaho Statesman, 10 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for investigate
Dictionary Entries Near investigate
Cite this Entry
“Investigate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/investigate. Accessed 15 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
investigate
verb
in·ves·ti·gate
in-ˈves-tə-ˌgāt
investigated; investigating
: to study by close examination and systematic inquiry
Etymology
from Latin investigare "to track, investigate," from in- "in, toward" and vestigium "footprint" — related to vestige
Word Origin
A detective investigating a crime may find the criminal by following clues. In much the same way, a hunter may find game by following tracks. The origins of the word investigate show how fitting it is to compare the detective to the hunter. The Latin word vestigium meant "footprint, track." Joined with the prefix in-, the noun vestigium gave rise to the verb investigare. This word meant both "to track or trace by footprints" and "to study or examine closely." Only the second meaning was kept when the verb was borrowed into English as investigate.
Legal Definition
investigate
verb
in·ves·ti·gate
in-ˈves-tə-ˌgāt
investigated; investigating
: to observe or study by close examination and systematic inquiry
specifically
: to make (a criminal suspect) the subject of inquiry and study for the purpose of establishing probable cause
: to make a systematic examination
especially
: to conduct an official inquiry
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