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

Harris has looked impressive in his return from a torn Achilles tendon, so the question is how quickly his role will grow in the backfield. — Dan Duggan, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026 The question is whether this interest will be reflected in the budget request for fiscal year 2028, which is now in the initial stages of preparation. — Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 30 Aug. 2026

Verb

Reitzes questioned the sell-off and sees Nvidia going higher. — Jim Cramer, CNBC, 31 Aug. 2026 Ultimately the case was dropped after a friend of Terri's invoked the Fifth Amendment 147 times during questioning about her whereabouts the day Kyron went missing, as well as her interactions with Terri that day. — Eileen Murphy, ABC News, 31 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for question

Recent Examples of Synonyms for question

Noun

But there’s a deeper problem, by Dartmouth provost Santiago Schnell, as 100% AI-written.

— Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 27 Aug. 2026
The problem is, Isolde is very busy with work, so Ry is often left to herself with four alarms a day to take medication to prevent seizures.

— Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of problem

Noun

The sale has drawn objections from the flight attendants union and a software firm that says some of the data isn’t Spirit’s to sell.

— Jeff Kleinma, Miami Herald, 28 Aug. 2026
Collins, Scott, and Whitmer spent much of the past year and a half framing their objections as cautionary.

— Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of objection

Noun

Big picture The league and the union are meeting regularly on various topics, but their disagreement on core economics — whether to move to a cap system — leaves little room for progress on the major issues.

— Evan Drellich, New York Times, 28 Aug. 2026
Journalists working on environmental topics in sub-Saharan Africa are coming under attack, a new report found.

— Preeti Jha, semafor.com, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of topic

Verb

Still, the emotionally stunted John claims not to harbor ill feelings toward Hal, though this is most certainly challenged by the end of the episode.

— Siddhant Adlakha, Vulture, 31 Aug. 2026
Porter has staked his claim as the starter opposite Stokes, though rookies McCoy and Masses should continue to challenge him for that role throughout the season.

— Sam Warren, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of challenge

Verb

In their discussions, economists and policymakers debated the regulatory challenges in a world where tokenization is revolutionizing how financial assets are held and transferred.

— Maria Eloisa Capurro, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2026
Researchers have debated for years whether these dendrites begin at the electrolyte’s surface or deeper inside the material.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of debate

Verb

An April Politico poll shows Republicans are much more likely to doubt the science behind vaccines instead of saying the science is clear when compared to Democrats.

— Mary Whitfill Roeloffs, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
Without a clear message from Warsh, investors began to doubt the Fed’s inflation-fighting resolve.

— Brian Cheung, NBC news, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of doubt

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questing

question

questionable

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

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Synonyms of question

noun

verb

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noun

verb

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