Interrogate: meaning, definitions and examples

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interrogate

 

[ ɪnˈtɛrəˌɡeɪt ]

Verb / Noun
Context #1 | Verb

police investigation

To question (someone) formally and thoroughly, often with the intent to extract information.

Synonyms

grill, probe, question, quiz

Examples of usage

  • During the interrogation, the suspect remained silent.
  • The detective interrogated the witness about the events of that night.
  • The police officer interrogated the suspect for hours.
  • After hours of interrogation, the truth finally came out.
Context #2 | Verb

intense questioning

To ask someone a lot of questions in an aggressive or determined way.

Synonyms

cross-examine, grill, question, quiz

Examples of usage

  • The reporter interrogated the politician about the scandal.
  • My parents interrogated me about where I had been all night.
  • The teacher interrogated the students about the reading assignment.
Context #3 | Noun

police investigation

The act of questioning or examining someone, typically in a thorough or aggressive manner.

Synonyms

cross-examination, grilling, questioning

Examples of usage

  • The interrogation of the suspect lasted for hours.
  • The detective conducted an intense interrogation of the witness.
  • She faced a tough interrogation by the police.

Translations

Translations of the word "interrogate" in other languages:

🇵🇹 interrogar

🇮🇳 पूछताछ करना

🇩🇪 verhören

🇮🇩 menginterogasi

🇺🇦 допитувати

🇵🇱 przesłuchiwać

🇯🇵 尋問する (じんもんする)

🇫🇷 interroger

🇪🇸 interrogar

🇹🇷 sorgulamak

🇰🇷 심문하다

🇸🇦 استجواب

🇨🇿 vyslýchat

🇸🇰 vypočúvať

🇨🇳 审问 (shěnwèn)

🇸🇮 zaslišati

🇮🇸 yfirheyra

🇰🇿 сұрау

🇬🇪 დაკითხვა

🇦🇿 sorğu-sual etmək

🇲🇽 interrogar

Etymology

The word 'interrogate' comes from the Latin word 'interrogatus', which means 'to question'. It was first recorded in English in the late 16th century. The term has been commonly used in legal and police contexts to refer to the act of questioning a suspect or witness in a formal and thorough manner. Over time, 'interrogate' has also come to be used more broadly to describe intense questioning or probing in various situations.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #20,668, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.