QUESTION Synonyms: 270 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'question' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of question are ask , inquire , interrogate , and query . While all these words mean "to address a person in order to gain information," question usually suggests the asking of series of questions. // questioned them about every detail of the trip

Q: When can 'ask' be used instead of 'question'?

Although the words ask and question have much in common, ask implies no more than the putting of a question. // ask for directions

Q: In what contexts can 'inquire' take the place of 'question'?

While in some cases nearly identical to question , 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

Q: When could 'interrogate' be used to replace 'question'?

The meanings of interrogate and question largely overlap; however, interrogate suggests formal or official systematic questioning. // the prosecutor interrogated the witness all day

Q: When would 'query' be a good substitute for 'question'?

In some situations, the words query and question are roughly equivalent. However, query implies a desire for authoritative information or confirmation. // queried a librarian about the book

Q: How does the verb 'question' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of question are ask , inquire , interrogate , and query . While all these words mean "to address a person in order to gain information," question usually suggests the asking of series of questions. // questioned them about every detail of the trip

Q: When can 'ask' be used instead of 'question'?

Although the words ask and question have much in common, ask implies no more than the putting of a question. // ask for directions

Q: In what contexts can 'inquire' take the place of 'question'?

While in some cases nearly identical to question , 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

Q: When could 'interrogate' be used to replace 'question'?

The meanings of interrogate and question largely overlap; however, interrogate suggests formal or official systematic questioning. // the prosecutor interrogated the witness all day

Q: When would 'query' be a good substitute for 'question'?

In some situations, the words query and question are roughly equivalent. However, query implies a desire for authoritative information or confirmation. // queried a librarian about the book

question 1 of 2

noun

ˈkwes-chən

Definition of question next

as in problem

an interrogative expression often used to test knowledge because I have missed so many classes, I had a hard time answering every question on today's surprise quiz

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in request

an act or instance of asking for information after reading the brief statement to the reporters, the lawyer ended the press conference by saying, "No more questions, please" the dozens of questions researched by the reference librarians

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in objection

a feeling or declaration of disapproval or dissent that these measurements are accurate is beyond question

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in topic

a major object of interest or concern (as in a discussion or artistic composition) it's a question of personal responsibility

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

question

2 of 2

verb

as in to challenge

to demand proof of the truth or rightness of the teenager openly questioned the authority of the town's police force to impose a curfew on residents under the age of 18

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to debate

to give serious and careful thought to question your motives before you file the lawsuit: do you really care about the trees, or are you just trying to harass the neighbors?

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to doubt

to have no trust or confidence in it was apparent that voters were questioning the President's ability to manage the economy

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to ask

to put a question or questions to the press should be allowed to question public officials about any matter of general interest

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to examine

to put a series of questions to the police questioned the suspect before deciding that there was insufficient evidence to hold him

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb question contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of question are ask, inquire, interrogate, and query. While all these words mean "to address a person in order to gain information," question usually suggests the asking of series of questions.

questioned them about every detail of the trip

When can ask be used instead of question?

Although the words ask and question have much in common, ask implies no more than the putting of a question.

ask for directions

In what contexts can inquire take the place of question?

While in some cases nearly identical to question, 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

When could interrogate be used to replace question?

The meanings of interrogate and question largely overlap; however, interrogate suggests formal or official systematic questioning.

the prosecutor interrogated the witness all day

When would query be a good substitute for question?

In some situations, the words query and question are roughly equivalent. However, query implies a desire for authoritative information or confirmation.

queried a librarian about the book

How does the verb question contrast with its synonyms?

questioned them about every detail of the trip

When can ask be used instead of question?

Although the words ask and question have much in common, ask implies no more than the putting of a question.

ask for directions

In what contexts can inquire take the place of question?

While in some cases nearly identical to question, 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

When could interrogate be used to replace question?

The meanings of interrogate and question largely overlap; however, interrogate suggests formal or official systematic questioning.

the prosecutor interrogated the witness all day

When would query be a good substitute for question?

In some situations, the words query and question are roughly equivalent. However, query implies a desire for authoritative information or confirmation.

queried a librarian about the book

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 question

Noun

Ask one clear question, then listen fully before responding. —

Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 25 Apr. 2026 The breakout success tumbled American AI stocks, raising questions about the ever-larger investments into data center buildouts. —

John Liu, CNN Money, 24 Apr. 2026

Verb

Investigators had questioned him Thursday about the disappearances of Limon and Bristy. —

Dan Sullivan, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 Apr. 2026 The two people who were inside the vehicle were detained and questioned about this shooting. —

Nikiya Carrero, CBS News, 25 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for question

Recent Examples of Synonyms for question

Noun

Third-rounder Keagen Trost could help improve the depth of the offensive line, but the Rams really could use another impact wide receiver given Davante Adams’ age and Puka Nacua’s off-field problems.

— Mike Jones, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2026
Be clear about what matters, then test small changes that won’t create bigger problems later.

— Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 25 Apr. 2026

Definition of problem

Cite this Entry

Style

“Question.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.grautoblog.com/thesaurus/question. Accessed 27 Apr. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of question

noun

verb

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

To Use or Not Use the "?" in Requests

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on question

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

boondoggle

Popular in Grammar & Usage

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

Are You Misusing These 10 Common Words?

5 Verbal Slip Ups and Language Mistakes

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Popular in Wordplay

9 Other Words for Beautiful

Why do we park in the driveway and drive on the parkway?

Was 'nervous Nellie' a Real Person?

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

Popular

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

9 Other Words for Beautiful

Why do we park in the driveway and drive on the parkway?

天美传媒

Synonyms of question

noun

verb

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Phrases Containing question

Browse Nearby Words

Articles Related to question

To Use or Not Use the "?" in Requests

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on question

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

boondoggle

Popular in Grammar & Usage

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

Are You Misusing These 10 Common Words?

5 Verbal Slip Ups and Language Mistakes

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Popular in Wordplay

9 Other Words for Beautiful

Why do we park in the driveway and drive on the parkway?

Was 'nervous Nellie' a Real Person?

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

Popular

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

9 Other Words for Beautiful

Why do we park in the driveway and drive on the parkway?

天美传媒