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query

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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

Examples 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
Facebook users seeing query error Some Facebook users are seeing a query error when trying to access the social media platform. Chad Murphy, The Enquirer, 11 Dec. 2024 Today, Google released its annual Year in Search, which compiles queries that had a high spike in traffic over a sustained period in 2024 as compared to 2023. Katherine McLaughlin, Architectural Digest, 10 Dec. 2024
Verb
In our particular case, a lambda function was querying from our DynamoDB table and a small bug caused the query operation to run in an endless loop and perform the same query over and over again until the lambda timed out and restarted. Georgiy Nefedov, Forbes, 5 Dec. 2024 Multiple times during the sit-down, Sorkin queried Pichai about his outlook for the growth of the overall AI sector. Dade Hayes, Deadline, 4 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for query 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for query
Noun
  • The path forward was cast into doubt by Trump's statement, with speculation growing that Johnson would scrap the original version of the bill and bring up a narrower funding extension that includes disaster relief.
    Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 19 Dec. 2024
  • Strengthening your character equips you to navigate the terrain of uncertainty and doubt that will naturally arise.
    Mary Crossan, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • The university, and the school’s president and head men’s lacrosse coach at the time, did not respond to the student newspaper’s request for comment.
    Karina Tsui, CNN, 13 Dec. 2024
  • But the hearings, and a subsequent report of recommendations by the fact-finder, have been postponed at CTU’s request, according to the district.
    Nell Salzman, Chicago Tribune, 13 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • Back to Black star Marisa Abela questions in the trailer.
    Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 Dec. 2024
  • Many question Wayne’s answer here, as shortly after the song’s release, the Hot Boy issued a lyrical warning to an unnamed rapper for mentioning his name.
    Marc Griffin, VIBE.com, 17 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • What's New TikTok is making a final push to stay active in the United States, asking the Supreme Court to block a federal law that could effectively ban the social media app unless its parent company, ByteDance, divests its U.S. operations.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 17 Dec. 2024
  • When asked which Golden Girl would most identify with Sharp, Simard emphatically answered Bea Arthur’s character Dorothy Zbornak without a second thought.
    Emily Burns, WWD, 17 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • Two individuals accused of serving Payne drugs will be interrogated on Dec. 17 at 10 and 11 a.m., respectively.
    Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 10 Dec. 2024
  • An apparent fan of food writer Michael Pollan, Mangione shared content that interrogated the consumption of alcohol, psychedelic drugs and even coffee.
    Tom Winter, NBC News, 10 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • More:How Syria rebels' stars aligned for Assad's ouster Following in the footsteps of his father Assad's rise to power in June 2000 prompted skepticism and outright derision.
    Josh Meyer, USA TODAY, 9 Dec. 2024
  • But even then, skepticism surrounding the shots was starting to take root — including among Trump’s supporters.
    Rong-Gong Lin II, Los Angeles Times, 8 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • Besides the inquiries into Trump, the FBI in recent years also investigated Biden's handling of classified information as well as Biden's son Hunter for tax and gun violations.
    Compiled by Democrat-Gazette staff from wire reports, arkansasonline.com, 12 Dec. 2024
  • The inquiry began with a narrow claim that King’s inner circle included men with ties to the Communist Party.
    Beverly Gage, The New Yorker, 11 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • To make this a roster that isn’t in the periphery — or worse, forgotten by the general public — but once again challenging for the top of the league.
    Sahadev Sharma, The Athletic, 10 Dec. 2024
  • The Wisconsin parents argued the Supreme Court needs to make clear that such policies can be preemptively challenged.
    Maureen Groppe, USA TODAY, 9 Dec. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near query

Cite this Entry

“Query.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/query. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.

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