interrogation
noun
in·ter·ro·ga·tion
in-ˌter-ə-ˈgā-shən 
plural interrogations
: the act of interrogating someone or something: such as
a
: a formal and systematic questioning
She conducted a skillful interrogation of the witness.
It was old-fashioned interrogation and eavesdropping that first led U.S. intelligence agents to the … plotters.—
Michael Isikoff
Michael IsikoffAnd during interrogation, instead of just listening for inconsistencies in what is said, agents are being taught to look for minute physical reactions on the faces of people being questioned.—Ann Davis et al.
Ann Davis et al.
b
: the sending of an electronic signal intended to trigger a particular response from something (such as a transponder)
The airborne equipment measures the time between the interrogation and the return signal, and converts this time measurement into a mileage reading on our instrument panel, on either a dial or digital counter.—Joseph W. Benkert
Joseph W. BenkertExamples of interrogation in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Seeing her fidget with the helmet during her interrogation and swinging the sword around with reckless abandon is all part of that.
—Alamin Yohannes, EW.com, 6 June 2025
In July 2024, Liu was turned away at the Detroit airport and sent back to China after changing his story during an interrogation about red plant material discovered in his backpack, the FBI said.
—Ed White, Los Angeles Times, 4 June 2025
Smith’s story is structured around the start and conclusion of his legal case, weaving around the mechanics of the legal system and an interrogation of his substance use.
—Kristen Tauer, Footwear News, 25 May 2025
Each of them journeyed across the ocean to enter the United States and experienced lengthy detentions and tedious interrogations; only three of them succeeded in entering the country.
—Michael Luo, New Yorker, 20 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for interrogation
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Alamin Yohannes, EW.com, 6 June 2025
In July 2024, Liu was turned away at the Detroit airport and sent back to China after changing his story during an interrogation about red plant material discovered in his backpack, the FBI said.
—Ed White, Los Angeles Times, 4 June 2025
Smith’s story is structured around the start and conclusion of his legal case, weaving around the mechanics of the legal system and an interrogation of his substance use.
—Kristen Tauer, Footwear News, 25 May 2025
Each of them journeyed across the ocean to enter the United States and experienced lengthy detentions and tedious interrogations; only three of them succeeded in entering the country.
—Michael Luo, New Yorker, 20 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for interrogation
Cite this Entry
“Interrogation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/interrogation. Accessed 12 Jun. 2025.
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