question mark

noun

1
a
: something unknown, unknowable, or uncertain
b
: someone (such as an athlete) whose condition, talent, or potential for success is in doubt
2
: a mark ? used in writing and printing at the conclusion of a sentence to indicate a direct question

Examples of question mark in a Sentence

The team's pitching is a big question mark this season.
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.
The midterm elections are another question mark not only for Meta but for the entire market. — Zev Fima, CNBC, 22 Oct. 2026 Philadelphia can at least move on to Monday night's game against Dallas without Hurts' playing status serving as a lingering question mark. — ABC News, 22 Oct. 2026 The trick with a clue that ends in a question mark is to read past whatever term or figure of speech is in there. — New York Times, 21 Oct. 2026 Next to each reading is a question mark icon that, when pressed, offers basic definitions for the reading. — John R. Delaney, PC Magazine, 17 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for question mark

Word History

First Known Use

1862, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of question mark was in 1862

Rhymes for question mark

See All Rhymes for question mark

Browse Nearby Words

questionlessly
question mark
question master
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Question mark.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/question%20mark. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

question mark

noun
: a punctuation mark ? used chiefly at the end of a sentence to indicate a direct question
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