query 1 of 2

Definition of querynext

query

2 of 2

verb

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb query contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of query are ask, inquire, interrogate, and question. While all these words mean "to address a person in order to gain information," query implies a desire for authoritative information or confirmation.

queried a librarian about the book

When might ask be a better fit than query?

In some situations, the words ask and query are roughly equivalent. However, ask implies no more than the putting of a question.

ask for directions

When can inquire be used instead of query?

While in some cases nearly identical to query, 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

In what contexts can interrogate take the place of query?

The synonyms interrogate and query are sometimes interchangeable, but interrogate suggests formal or official systematic questioning.

the prosecutor interrogated the witness all day

Where would question be a reasonable alternative to query?

The words question and query are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, question usually suggests the asking of series of questions.

questioned them about every detail of the trip

How does the verb query contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of query are ask, inquire, interrogate, and question. While all these words mean "to address a person in order to gain information," query implies a desire for authoritative information or confirmation.

queried a librarian about the book

When might ask be a better fit than query?

In some situations, the words ask and query are roughly equivalent. However, ask implies no more than the putting of a question.

ask for directions

When can inquire be used instead of query?

While in some cases nearly identical to query, 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

In what contexts can interrogate take the place of query?

The synonyms interrogate and query are sometimes interchangeable, but interrogate suggests formal or official systematic questioning.

the prosecutor interrogated the witness all day

Where would question be a reasonable alternative to query?

The words question and query are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, question usually suggests the asking of series of questions.

questioned them about every detail of the trip

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 query
Noun
By sending millions of queries through application programming interfaces, attackers can collect large datasets. Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 23 Apr. 2026 Since the fundraising goal has well and truly been met, production is under way (see company updates for where manufacturing is at – Spesyn has been transparent on queries regarding this), with delivery expected to begin in September. New Atlas, 21 Apr. 2026
Verb
Reports of the court's concern were cited by privacy advocates and some congressional aides as a reason Congress should not reauthorize the law without changes and without the administration explaining the querying filter issue. Arkansas Online, 12 Apr. 2026 Ferreira seemed to query the specifics without disputing the broader idea. Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 6 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for query
Recent Examples of Synonyms for query
Noun
  • The Salt Lake County district attorney’s office and the Draper City prosecutor both declined to file charges against Paul in April, citing insufficient evidence to prove allegations beyond a reasonable doubt.
    Senior Television, Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2026
  • There’s a bit of bad dream and doubt, and a bit of songwriting tips and tricks.
    Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 30 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • In February, opponents packed the City Hall chambers ahead of a planned Historic Preservation Board meeting, which was ultimately deferred at the Fontainebleau’s request after one of the board members didn’t show up.
    Aaron Leibowitz, Miami Herald, 28 Apr. 2026
  • Virginia’s Democratic attorney general, Jay Jones, urged the state Supreme Court to pause the lower court’s order and allow certification of the election to resume, a request the commonwealth’s high court denied on Tuesday.
    Jack Birle, The Washington Examiner, 28 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • With the third-year pro also coming off a subpar 2025 campaign, Wells’ offensive capabilities have been the subject of questioning in recent weeks and months.
    Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 26 Apr. 2026
  • The Republican has built a reputation in part due to his willingness to question the federal government’s role in releasing classified information.
    Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 25 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • The team asked people to memorize locations on a graph while smelling the scent of rose.
    Shayla Love, New Yorker, 1 May 2026
  • At one point, Iran asked to move its games to Mexico, but that request was rejected.
    Anne M. Peterson, Chicago Tribune, 1 May 2026
Verb
  • Anthropic has a habit of using dramatic, alarming-sounding language that can be tough to interrogate cleanly, including flirting with the idea that its Claude model might be conscious.
    Robert Hart, The Verge, 23 Apr. 2026
  • The Louisiana Republican chairs one of the Senate committees that oversees Kennedy's department and sits on another, giving him two chances to interrogate the secretary about his plans for an agency responsible for public health programs and research.
    ABC News, ABC News, 22 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • So far, that skepticism has appeared justified.
    Dan Santaromita, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
  • There’s plenty of skepticism that would or could ever take place.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 26 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • His inquiry surfaces a history of abuse, homophobia, and despair, and the film uses the tragedy to probe questions of moral accountability and collective indifference in Hong Kong.
    Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 30 Apr. 2026
  • House Select Committee on China Chairman John Moolenaar (R-MI) and House Committee on Homeland Security Chairman Andrew Garbarino (R-NY) cited national security and cybersecurity risks posed by reliance on Chinese models as a reason for the joint inquiry.
    Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 30 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Meeting a partner’s family can be challenging in any circumstance; anxieties about a family member saying something rude or belittling can only compound that.
    R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 1 May 2026
  • The case challenged Louisiana’s congressional map, which included two majority-Black districts out of six in a state where about one-third of the population is Black.
    Bart Jansen, USA Today, 30 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Query.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/query. Accessed 1 May. 2026.

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