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Interrogation Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

๐Ÿ”
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interrogation

[ษชnหŒterษ™หˆษกeษชสƒษ™n ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

police investigation

The act of questioning or examining someone closely, especially in a police investigation. Interrogation can involve asking a series of questions to gather information or obtain a confession.

Synonyms

examination, interrogatory, questioning.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
interrogation

Used in a context where someone is being formally and often forcefully questioned, usually by the police or military. It often has a negative connotation.

  • The suspect underwent a rigorous interrogation by the detectives.
  • During the interrogation, the prisoner revealed vital information about the crime.
questioning

A general term for asking questions, could be formal or informal. Often used in both everyday settings and formal situations without the negative connotation of 'interrogation'.

  • The teacher's questioning helped students think more critically.
  • The police began questioning the witnesses at the scene.
examination

Refers to a detailed inspection or study, often used in academic, medical, or technical contexts. It can also mean a formal test of knowledge.

  • The doctor performed a thorough examination of the patient.
  • Students were nervous about the final examination.
interrogatory

Primarily used in legal contexts to refer to written questions submitted to the other party in a lawsuit, which must be answered under oath.

  • The lawyer prepared a set of interrogatories to be answered by the witness.
  • The plaintiff's interrogatory requests were seen as overly intrusive.

Examples of usage

  • The suspect was taken in for interrogation by the police.
  • During the interrogation, the detective uncovered new evidence.
  • The interrogation lasted for several hours before the suspect finally confessed.
Context #2 | Noun

linguistics

The process of asking questions grammatically. In linguistics, an interrogation is a sentence used to ask a question, typically beginning with words like 'who,' 'what,' 'where,' 'when,' 'why,' or 'how.'

Synonyms

inquiring, querying, questioning.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
interrogation

Use "interrogation" in formal and intense situations, often associated with police or legal contexts. It implies a thorough and sometimes aggressive approach to seeking information.

  • The suspect was taken into custody for interrogation.
  • During the interrogation, the detective asked detailed questions about the crime scene.
questioning

Use "questioning" in general situations where someone is seeking information or clarification. It is neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.

  • The teacher spent the class questioning students on their understanding of the topic.
  • She was questioning her friend about the events of the party.
querying

Use "querying" in academic, technical, or professional settings where specific or detailed information is being requested. It often involves seeking clarification or additional details.

  • The researcher was querying the database for relevant studies.
  • After reviewing the report, he spent hours querying the author for more data.
inquiring

Use "inquiring" in casual or professional contexts where someone is seeking information out of curiosity or interest, without any aggressive or intense connotation.

  • She sent an email inquiring about job openings.
  • The child has an inquiring mind, always asking about how things work.

Examples of usage

  • An example of an interrogation in English is 'Where are you going?'
  • In linguistics, the study of interrogatives is important for understanding the structure of questions.
Context #3 | Noun

emotional

A feeling of doubt or uncertainty. Interrogation can refer to the internal questioning or self-doubt that a person experiences.

Synonyms

doubt, questioning, uncertainty.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
interrogation

Use this word in formal or intense situations where someone is being asked questions aggressively, often by law enforcement or authorities.

  • The suspect was taken into the interrogation room.
  • Her interrogation lasted for hours without any breaks.
doubt

This word is suitable when expressing uncertainty or lack of conviction about something. It is often used in personal or casual contexts.

  • I have serious doubts about his ability to finish the project on time.
  • She didn't answer my question, which increased my doubts.
uncertainty

This word fits when describing a state of doubt or lack of confidence in understanding or predicting something. Often used in scientific, professional, or personal contexts.

  • The uncertainty of the weather makes planning difficult.
  • There is a lot of uncertainty in the stock market right now.
questioning

Use this word in situations where someone is being asked several questions, usually to get more information, but not as aggressively as 'interrogation'. It can be formal or informal.

  • The police are questioning witnesses about the accident.
  • His constant questioning made me rethink my decision.

Examples of usage

  • Her mind was filled with interrogation about whether she had made the right decision.
  • The constant interrogation in his mind kept him from feeling at peace.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Historical Origins

  • The word comes from Latin 'interrogare,' which means 'to ask between or among,' highlighting the method of questioning.
  • Interrogation techniques have been used since ancient times, with methods found in texts from Roman times detailing how information was extracted.
  • During the Middle Ages, interrogations often involved trials where individuals were questioned under duress, leading to modern regulations.

Psychology

  • The effectiveness of interrogation can depend on the psychological approach used, such as rapport-building versus confrontational styles.
  • Studies show that a calm and understanding demeanor can yield more reliable information than aggressive questioning techniques.
  • Memory can be influenced during interrogations; the way questions are phrased can change people's recall of events.

Pop Culture

  • Interrogations are a popular theme in crime dramas, often depicted with intense scenes where detectives extract confessions in the interrogation room.
  • The popular TV series 'Law & Order' often showcases various interrogation tactics and their legal implications.
  • Movies like 'The Silence of the Lambs' illustrate how psychological manipulation can be a central part of the interrogation process.

Legal Aspects

  • In many countries, legal systems regulate how interrogations can be conducted, holding that they must avoid coercion to protect individuals' rights.
  • The Miranda rights in the U.S. arose from the need to inform individuals about their rights during police interrogations.
  • Some jurisdictions require that interrogations be recorded to safeguard against abuse and to ensure that statements can be verified.

Education

  • Interrogation skills are taught in law enforcement training, focusing on ethical practices and effective communication techniques.
  • In academic settings, students practice interrogation techniques in mock trials to prepare for real-world legal proceedings.
  • Understanding interrogation techniques can be valuable beyond law, applicable in areas like negotiation and conflict resolution.

Origin of 'interrogation'

The word 'interrogation' comes from the Latin word 'interrogatio,' which means 'a questioning.' The concept of interrogation has been a fundamental part of human communication and investigation for centuries. In legal contexts, interrogations have been used to gather information, elicit confessions, and uncover the truth. The word has evolved to encompass various contexts, from police investigations to linguistic analysis to emotional introspection.

See also: interrogating, interrogator, interrogatory.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #11,016, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.