Interrogating: meaning, definitions and examples

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interrogating

 

[ɪnˈtɛrəˌɡeɪtɪŋ ]

Definition

Context #1 | Verb

questioning

To interrogate means to question someone thoroughly and aggressively, often in a formal setting such as a police station or courtroom. It involves asking a series of detailed questions in order to obtain information or confessions.

Synonyms

examine, grill, question, quiz.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
interrogating

This word is typically used in formal or legal situations, especially by police or investigators, and often implies a sense of pressure or scrutiny.

  • The detective spent hours interrogating the suspect.
  • They were interrogating witnesses to get to the bottom of the case.
question

A general term that can be used in a wide range of contexts, from casual conversations to formal inquiries, without a strong implication of intensity or formality.

  • The teacher will question the students about the reading assignment.
  • He questioned her motives for going to the event.
grill

Typically informal and often used in social or casual contexts, this word implies intense and persistent questioning, sometimes with a negative connotation.

  • My parents grilled me about where I had been all night.
  • The journalist grilled the politician about their controversial decision.
examine

This term is commonly used in medical, scientific, or academic contexts where detailed and careful observation or analysis is required.

  • The doctor will examine the patient for any signs of illness.
  • We need to examine the results of the experiment thoroughly.
quiz

Informally used primarily in educational settings, referring to a test or series of questions to assess knowledge or understanding on a particular topic.

  • The teacher gave the students a pop quiz to test their knowledge.
  • They decided to quiz each other on vocabulary before the exam.

Examples of usage

  • They interrogated the suspect for hours before he finally confessed.
  • The detective will interrogate the witnesses to gather more information about the crime.
  • The journalist was interrogated by the authorities about her sources for the article.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word comes from the Latin 'interrogare', meaning 'to ask' or 'to question'.
  • Its roots can be broken down into 'inter' (between) and 'rogare' (to ask), highlighting the back-and-forth nature of questioning.

Law Enforcement

  • In criminal investigations, it's a method used by police to gather detailed accounts from witnesses or suspects.
  • Techniques can vary significantly in style, from direct questioning to psychological strategies aimed at eliciting information.

Psychology

  • Effective interrogating often relies on understanding human behavior and psychology, influencing how questions are framed and interpreted.
  • The Reid Technique, a popular interrogation method, emphasizes building rapport before seeking confessions.

Pop Culture

  • Interrogation scenes are popular in films and TV series, often portraying intense dynamics between detectives and suspects.
  • Shows like 'Law & Order' and movies such as 'Zodiac' frequently depict interrogation as a key element of plot development.

Education

  • In classrooms, a form of questioning known as 'Socratic questioning' encourages deeper understanding by challenging students to think critically.
  • Teachers often use interrogative techniques to promote discussion and engagement, helping students to explore subjects more thoroughly.

Translations

Translations of the word "interrogating" in other languages:

🇵🇹 interrogando

🇮🇳 पूछताछ कर रहा है

🇩🇪 verhörend

🇮🇩 menginterogasi

🇺🇦 допитуючи

🇵🇱 przesłuchując

🇯🇵 尋問している (じんもんしている)

🇫🇷 interrogeant

🇪🇸 interrogando

🇹🇷 sorgulayan

🇰🇷 심문하는 (심문하고 있는)

🇸🇦 يستجوب

🇨🇿 vyslýchající

🇸🇰 vypočúvajúci

🇨🇳 审问 (shěnwèn)

🇸🇮 zasliševanje

🇮🇸 yfirheyrir

🇰🇿 тергеу

🇬🇪 კითხვის დასმა

🇦🇿 sorğu-sual etmək

🇲🇽 interrogando

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #24,330, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.