query 1 of 2

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

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
Google accounts for more than 90% of all general search queries in the U.K., and more than 200,000 advertisers in the country use the firm’s search advertising tools, according to the CMA. Ryan Browne, CNBC, 14 Jan. 2025 Supporting characters are barely more than caricatures, leaving viewers with unsettling queries instead of finite answers. Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 9 Jan. 2025
Verb
Non-technical roles like product managers, executives and business analysts could directly query and analyze system behavior, performance and reliability using conversational AI/ML assistants. Tom Wilkie, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024 Also key is its app, which queried me about my regular sleep habits and upcoming flights before producing a schedule that told me when to take which pill, when to eat and drink, when to sleep, and when to wear the glasses. Tim Neville, Outside Online, 5 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for query 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for query
Noun
  • While there have already been glimpses of this in the past with former TNA Knockouts Champion Jordynne Grace and Joe Hendry, there's no doubt fans will see more of this, especially heading into the Royal Rumble.
    David Faris, Newsweek, 18 Jan. 2025
  • In addition, conservative thought leaders — including those behind the Project 2025 playbook — have been contemplating Trump’s return for years, and have no doubt been helping Trump craft orders that are less vulnerable to legal challenges, the experts said.
    Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 17 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • The Theosophical Society did not respond to interview requests.
    Daniel Miller, Los Angeles Times, 12 Jan. 2025
  • That’s why, in the final minutes of the team’s home finale last month, agitated fans at Soldier Field serenaded McCaskey and his family with an impassioned request.
    Dan Wiederer, Chicago Tribune, 12 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Shares of the company traded 1.4% higher on Thursday morning. Strategy in focus BP has underperformed its European rivals of late as energy market participants continue to question the firm’s investment case.
    Sam Meredith, CNBC, 16 Jan. 2025
  • Consumers today are increasingly focused on what's in their food, moving beyond taste and aesthetics to question the purpose and safety of each ingredient.
    Stephanie Gravalese, Forbes, 16 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • During the news conference, several people described how the fires had affected their families and asked public officials to hold oil companies to account.
    Minyvonne Burke, NBC News, 17 Jan. 2025
  • Now those same voters have to ask themselves: How much better was CC than those two guys?
    Jayson Stark, The Athletic, 16 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • The results interrogate pearl-clutching assumptions of private and public realms, embracing voyeurism and exhibitionism as underlying tensions.
    Sam Cochran, Architectural Digest, 15 Jan. 2025
  • This was indeed a lucky break; even the most up-to-date C.S.I. units can’t interrogate people who’ve been dead 200 years.
    Liesl Schillinger, New York Times, 10 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • In Chicago, where then-Mayor Rahm Emmanuel was a supporter, local leaders expressed skepticism about whether Boring could build an airport loop without public funding.
    Daniel Rothberg, ProPublica, 8 Jan. 2025
  • For CEOs grappling with skepticism, the key is to foster excitement without ignoring the risks.
    Alexander Puutio, Forbes, 8 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • The Dallas Examiner, which published several articles reporting on locals’ concerns, previously reported that there was a police investigation surrounding the works as evidence for alleged child abuse, but the museum had not responded to inquiries about it until now.
    Francesca Aton, ARTnews.com, 10 Jan. 2025
  • The inquiries led to the resignation of his police commissioner, first deputy mayor, deputy mayor for public safety, education chancellor, a senior adviser and the mayor’s chief adviser — who was herself indicted on state charges last month.
    William K. Rashbaum, New York Times, 10 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • And the new rules will almost certainly be challenged in court.
    Noam N. Levey, Los Angeles Times, 9 Jan. 2025
  • The puzzles are rarely straightforward, using homophones and wordplay, among other techniques, to keep players challenged.
    Tommy Tuberville, Newsweek, 8 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near query

Cite this Entry

“Query.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/query. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on query

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!