inquisition

noun

ˌin-kwə-ˈzi-shən How to pronounce inquisition (audio)
Definition of inquisitionnext
as in investigation
a systematic search for the truth or facts about something there's no need to conduct an inquisition about so trivial a matter

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 inquisition Tuttle’s fearless inquisition won’t insult your intelligence, ask your mercy or hogtie your feelings. — Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 9 May 2026 In any event, Levinson still believes that this inquisition undermined the larger point being made about institutional abuse. — Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 25 Apr. 2026 Conservative influencers are pushing for a return to the dark days of 1950s inquisitions. — Ali Breland, The Atlantic, 6 Mar. 2026 McCullum generally leaves in-match inquisitions to his loyal lieutenants, Marcus Trescothick and Jeetan Patel. — Paul Newman, New York Times, 8 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for inquisition
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inquisition
  1. investigation
  2. inquiry
  3. examination
  4. exploration
  5. study
  6. probe
  7. probing
Noun
  • Baglio has since been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the criminal and internal administrative investigations, police said.
    — Michael Sinkewicz, FOXNews.com, 2 July 2026
  • According to a Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner death investigation report obtained by USA TODAY on July 1, Ransone's brother told an officer with the Los Angeles Police Department that the actor had a history of suicidal ideation.
    — KiMi Robinson, USA Today, 2 July 2026
Definition of investigation
Noun
  • This will trigger a hard credit inquiry that will temporarily lower your credit score several points.
    — Dan Avery, CNBC, 1 July 2026
  • To stop seeking answers is a choice to dim a light that has guided human inquiry for millennia.
    — Florencia Canelli, Scientific American, 1 July 2026
Definition of inquiry
Noun
  • The agency has not indicated when that review will conclude, and the final scope of any patent could change during the examination process.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 3 July 2026
  • The findings came after Crump and the child's family pushed for an independent examination and called for transparency and accountability in the investigation into the June 14 shooting.
    — Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 2 July 2026
Definition of examination
Noun
  • In terms of threading the needle between the experimentation and playing Lestat does before landing on a style that’s uniquely his, Lestat’s preference for musical exploration is akin to Hart’s own.
    — Sabrina Reed, Forbes.com, 6 July 2026
  • Well, the nation came of age industrially after the Wright brothers' historic flight and has been a leader in aerospace tech and exploration ever since.
    — Mike Wall, Space.com, 4 July 2026
Definition of exploration
Noun
  • The study also categorized unemployment claims by age and found that a significant portion of claims were from those aged 36 to 65, signaling that AI’s effect doesn’t only affect early-career jobs.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 4 July 2026
  • As thousands sing, clap and chant together, attendees describe a feeling of bliss and belonging, a chance to step outside the pressures of work, studies and an increasingly competitive society.
    — Ayushi Shah, CNN Money, 4 July 2026
Definition of study
Noun
  • To Siebel Newsom, the critiques of her work and the federal probe are part of a broader hounding of women who enter the public sphere.
    — Jenny Jarvie Follow, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026
  • Two deputy district attorneys later complained that their then-boss, District Attorney Mark Peterson, killed the probe to protect Kramer.
    — Jakob Rodgers, Mercury News, 7 July 2026
Definition of probe
Noun
  • Mission two was to do a lot of listening, a lot of probing, a lot of asking questions, skip levels to really understand the opportunity for the go forward, but also embrace what makes TIAA incredibly special.
    — Fortune Editors, Fortune, 22 June 2026
  • Davis’ ability to reflect and respond with his pithy probing of the disagreeing chord turned chaos into something cogent.
    — Steven D. Reske, Chicago Tribune, 24 May 2026
Definition of probing

Browse Nearby Words

inquiry
inquisition
inquisitional
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Cite this Entry

“Inquisition.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inquisition. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on inquisition

Nglish: Translation of inquisition for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about inquisition

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