ask

verb

ˈask How to pronounce ask (audio)
Definition of asknext
1
as in to interrogate
to put a question or questions to my coworkers asked me all about my trip to Machu Picchu

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to request
to make a request of ask the salesclerk for assistance

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to charge
to set or receive as a price they are only asking $300 for that antique grandfather clock

Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in to invite
to request the presence or participation of a fixture on the party circuit, that couple is always asking people over for dinner

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb ask contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of ask are inquire, interrogate, query, and question. While all these words mean "to address a person in order to gain information," ask implies no more than the putting of a question.

ask for directions

In what contexts can inquire take the place of ask?

The words inquire and ask are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 would interrogate be a good substitute for ask?

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

the prosecutor interrogated the witness all day

When might query be a better fit than ask?

The words query and ask can be used in similar contexts, but query implies a desire for authoritative information or confirmation.

queried a librarian about the book

When is question a more appropriate choice than ask?

Although the words question and ask have much in common, 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 ask McCabe asked local businesses with security camera footage to call police dispatch at 785-843-0250. — Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 30 Aug. 2026 The arms shortage was so bad that the government asked American and Canadian sport shooters to donate their arms to Britain's Home Guard. — David Szondy august 30, New Atlas, 30 Aug. 2026 The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division has been asked to investigate the incident, according to Holbrook. — Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 30 Aug. 2026 Multiple baby goats at a mobile petting zoo in North Carolina were infected with rabies, and authorities are asking anyone who had contact with the animals to reach out to health officials about potential exposure to the rare but deadly virus. — Ray Sanchez, CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for ask
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ask
  1. interrogate
  2. request
  3. charge
  4. invite
  5. question
  6. demand
  7. quiz
Verb
  • An interesting collective approach to American history was PRX Productions’ provocative series Monumental, in which features by a range of independent producers interrogated the history as reflected in public monuments.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Peacock is preparing to celebrate the cultural influence of The Wendy Williams Show and to interrogate the role of fame in its end.
    — Katie Kilkenny, HollywoodReporter, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of interrogate
Verb
  • Sustained gunfire began past midnight at the premises of the Diori Hamani International Airport, which hosts a major military base, according to an AP witness who requested anonymity for safety reasons.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 29 Aug. 2026
  • The group requested agreements among MPEA, arena operator Oak View Group, the Chicago Sky and the WNBA.
    — Jackson Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of request
Verb
  • Police investigated the death of Holmes for 18 months before charging Vaughn, Early and Brown in March 1990.
    — Brett Barrouquere, Arkansas Online, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Goodyear has never been charged with any crime related to the case and has repeatedly denied any involvement in the disappearances.
    — Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of charge
Verb
  • So Issa decides to bring out the real Paul Baker by inviting over all his bros.
    — Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Romanian actress Alina Șerban (Housekeeping for Beginners, Alone at My Wedding, Gipsy Queen) is inviting us on a cinematic journey into the experience of being a Roma woman.
    — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of invite
Verb
  • Critics also questioned whether UCLA’s athletic department had adapted quickly enough to the NIL era.
    — Ira Gorawara, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2026
  • At Liberty High School in Frisco, Texas, Muslim students had used a spare classroom to pray without incident from 2009 to 2017, when Paxton’s office sent the district a letter questioning whether other students were being excluded.
    — Asma Uddin, The Conversation, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of question
Verb
  • Several cities and counties have demanded the removal of Flock cameras.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Trautwein, a two-time national champion at Florida, demands relentless work ethic and attention to detail.
    — Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of demand
Verb
  • Syeda Irtizaali, Director of Unscripted at Netflix UK, was quizzed on the issue today at the Edinburgh Television Festival and responded duty of care had been baked into the production.
    — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Benjamin Rangel, a history teacher at Cristo Rey Jesuit High School, along with some of his students, helped quiz student attendees on the voting process in exchange for prizes.
    — Alyssa N. Salcedo, jsonline.com, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of quiz

Phrases Containing ask

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asininity
ask
askance
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Cite this Entry

“Ask.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ask. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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