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

question 1 of 2

noun

ˈkwes-chən

Definition of question

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

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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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in objection

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

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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

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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

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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?

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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

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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

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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

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

The delay raises a broader question about A24’s international release strategy at a time when social media can turn a film into a global cultural event overnight. — Alex Ritman, Variety, 23 Oct. 2026 The question then remains is why did Schrödinger not publish this? — Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 23 Oct. 2026

Verb

Analysts questioned how Salvadoran special forces will work with the existing international and national forces. — Widlore Mérancourt, Washington Post, 23 Oct. 2026 Beatrice is not the only person reconsidering the nastiness of the proceedings; a series of small incidents leads Morgan to question Cathcarts’ cruelty. — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 23 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for question

Recent Examples of Synonyms for question

Noun

Last month, the Kremlin acknowledged problems with food and medical supplies getting into Oleshky, saying its military was working to resolve them.

— Yuliya Talmazan, NBC news, 27 Oct. 2026
In fact, the Iran war, inflation and the debt problems are potentially about to get even worse.

— David Goldman, CNN Money, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of problem

Noun

The request, obtained by the Washington Examiner, came in a Wednesday letter from Mike Davis, founder and president of the Article III Project, a conservative legal advocacy group.

— Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 22 Oct. 2026
It is held by an escrow agent, usually the title company or a broker, who is not permitted to hand it to either side on request.

— Gary Singer, Sun Sentinel, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of request

Noun

Under Burgum's 2025 campaign, signs, books, films and exhibits covering topics such as slavery, climate change and the massacre of Native Americans were flagged and removed from national parks and monuments nationwide.

— ABC News, ABC News, 22 Oct. 2026
Aside from clashing over national topics like tariffs, the Iran war, artificial intelligence and Social Security, the candidates were asked about jobs in Michigan, the auto industry and education.

— DeJanay Booth-Singleton, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of topic

Verb

During the state elections in 1967, Jagdish Master, a teacher turned activist, challenged the veto of the landlords over Dalit suffrage by escorting a group of Dalits to a polling booth in Ekwari, a village in Bihar’s Bhojpur district.

— Asim Ali, Time, 24 Oct. 2026
The ban passed in April 2025 and is being challenged by a group of educators, students, parents and activists who say the law violates their 1st and 14th Amendment rights.

— Sophie Bates, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of challenge

Verb

This month, the council held a nine-hour hearing to debate tax proposals, including the BAT, as the council attempts to mitigate budget shortfalls for fiscal year 2028.

— Irit Skulnik, CNBC, 23 Oct. 2026
When Risch declined to debate, Achilles showed up to directly confront the incumbent at a limited public appearance in Boise, where Risch was set to speak at a 9/11 memorial event.

— Sarah Cutler, Idaho Statesman, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of debate

Verb

Seventy-one percent also doubt that his village cooperatives policy—which plans to establish hubs in roughly 80,000 communities to handle basic-goods distribution, savings, and other rural services—would succeed.

— Jay Ganglani, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026
The president also earlier doubted the disruption came from Musk, formerly a close adviser and frequent companion.

— ABC News, ABC News, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of doubt

Verb

The person asked a mutual contact to warn Rosman, according to three people familiar with that exchange.

— Ben Smith, semafor.com, 26 Oct. 2026
Attendees asked engineers to provide preliminary cost estimates for street lighting running from the stadium connection north to Swepco Road.

— Randy Moll, Arkansas Online, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of ask

Browse Nearby Words

questing

question

questionable

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Style

“Question.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/question. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of question

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verb

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Synonyms of question

noun

verb

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