interrogate
verb
in·ter·ro·gate
in-ˈter-ə-ˌgāt 
-ˈte-rə-
interrogated; interrogating
1
: to question formally and systematically
2
: to give or send out a signal to (a device, such as a transponder) for triggering an appropriate response
Examples of interrogate in a Sentence
interrogate a prisoner of war
interrogated him about where he'd gone the night before
Recent Examples on the Web
That theoretical episode would probably interrogate our obsession with watching people hurt and humiliate themselves online, but that theme has very little to do with the rest of the episode.
—
Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 10 Apr. 2025
The history museums that were once a feature of many Soviet cities did not interrogate the life of Lenin.
—David Remnick, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2025
Polyakov remains in custody and is being interrogated by local authorities, who have also notified the U.S. Embassy, India's Ministry of External Affairs, and the Home Department, according to the PTI.
—Lee Habeeb, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Apr. 2025
How this show functions, and what this show is interested in interrogating, is different than what another medical show is interested in interrogating.
—Sam Reed, Glamour, 3 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for interrogate
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Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 10 Apr. 2025
The history museums that were once a feature of many Soviet cities did not interrogate the life of Lenin.
—David Remnick, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2025
Polyakov remains in custody and is being interrogated by local authorities, who have also notified the U.S. Embassy, India's Ministry of External Affairs, and the Home Department, according to the PTI.
—Lee Habeeb, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Apr. 2025
How this show functions, and what this show is interested in interrogating, is different than what another medical show is interested in interrogating.
—Sam Reed, Glamour, 3 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for interrogate
Cite this Entry
“Interrogate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/interrogate. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
interrogate
verb
in·ter·ro·gate
in-ˈter-ə-ˌgāt
interrogated; interrogating
: to question formally and thoroughly
interrogator
noun
-ˈter-ə-ˌgāt-ər
Legal Definition
interrogate
transitive verb
in·ter·ro·gate
in-ˈter-ə-ˌgāt
interrogated; interrogating
: to question formally and systematically
especially
: to gather information from (a suspect) by means that are reasonably likely to elicit incriminating responses see also miranda rights
Note: Under Rhode Island v. Innis, 446 U.S. 291 (1980), interrogating includes not just express questioning, but also any words or actions that the police should know are reasonably likely to elicit an incriminating response. Asking questions that are normally asked in the course of arrest or booking (such as questions about name or age) is not considered interrogation.
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