question 1 of 2

noun

ˈkwes-chən How to pronounce question (audio)
Definition of questionnext
1
as in problem
an interrogative expression often used to test knowledge because I have missed so many classes, I had a hard time answering every question on today's surprise quiz

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in request
an act or instance of asking for information after reading the brief statement to the reporters, the lawyer ended the press conference by saying, "No more questions, please" the dozens of questions researched by the reference librarians

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3
as in objection
a feeling or declaration of disapproval or dissent that these measurements are accurate is beyond question

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in topic
a major object of interest or concern (as in a discussion or artistic composition) it's a question of personal responsibility

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

question

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to challenge
to demand proof of the truth or rightness of the teenager openly questioned the authority of the town's police force to impose a curfew on residents under the age of 18

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2
as in to debate
to give serious and careful thought to question your motives before you file the lawsuit: do you really care about the trees, or are you just trying to harass the neighbors?

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3
as in to doubt
to have no trust or confidence in it was apparent that voters were questioning the President's ability to manage the economy

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to ask
to put a question or questions to the press should be allowed to question public officials about any matter of general interest

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in to examine
to put a series of questions to the police questioned the suspect before deciding that there was insufficient evidence to hold him

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Synonym Chooser

How does the verb question contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of question are ask, inquire, interrogate, and query. While all these words mean "to address a person in order to gain information," question usually suggests the asking of series of questions.

questioned them about every detail of the trip

When can ask be used instead of question?

Although the words ask and question have much in common, ask implies no more than the putting of a question.

ask for directions

In what contexts can inquire take the place of question?

While in some cases nearly identical to question, inquire implies a searching for facts or for truth often specifically by asking questions.

began to inquire of friends and teachers what career she should pursue

When could interrogate be used to replace question?

The meanings of interrogate and question largely overlap; however, interrogate suggests formal or official systematic questioning.

the prosecutor interrogated the witness all day

When would query be a good substitute for question?

In some situations, the words query and question are roughly equivalent. However, query implies a desire for authoritative information or confirmation.

queried a librarian about the book

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of question
Noun
So, get ready for mountain vistas and exhausting cycling days to take your breath away and questions about your life choices to swirl around in your head! — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 17 Oct. 2026 When the interview ended, Zacharia said hello to a crowd of reporters gathered outside, but declined to answer any questions. — Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 16 Oct. 2026
Verb
Older studies suggested that a glass of red wine could reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, but more recent studies question that conclusion. — Lizzie Kane, Sacbee.com, 16 Oct. 2026 As the movie progresses, Fielder and the audience must question whether and how they’re being deceived. — David MacK, CNN Money, 16 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for question
Recent Examples of Synonyms for question
  1. problem
  2. request
  3. objection
  4. topic
  5. challenge
  6. debate
  7. doubt
  8. ask
Noun
  • The problem is two of the guys have started dating between last year and this year.
    — R. Eric Thomas, Washington Post, 12 Oct. 2026
  • In an Austin school district where buses are equipped with cameras, Waymos were recorded illegally passing them more than twenty times in the past school year—a problem that persisted even after the company tried to fix it.
    — Molly Fischer, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of problem
Noun
  • Customization requests through direct messages accounted for approximately 30 percent of first-year business.
    — Ryma Chikhoune, Footwear News, 16 Oct. 2026
  • The California secretary of state's office did not respond to requests for comment.
    — SAFIYAH RIDDLE, Arkansas Online, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of request
Noun
  • However, he was removed from the 2022 ballot after an Illinois election board upheld an objection to his campaign.
    — Elena Tittel, Chicago Tribune, 14 Oct. 2026
  • The council said its objection is in response to Bocelli’s past support for Israel, including his participation in a 2010 fundraiser in Los Angeles for the Israel Defense Forces and a 2022 concert in Tel Aviv.
    — Niniek Karmini, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of objection
Noun
  • The conversations remained cordial, despite vehement disagreements at times, with Talarico and the voters engaging in polite small talk before delving into, at times, heavy topics.
    — Lauren Green, The Washington Examiner, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Caporael, who had explored the topic through the lens of the scientific method, wasn’t claiming to know what had happened at Salem.
    — Jennifer Byrne, Popular Science, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of topic
Verb
  • Peltola, who represented Alaska's at-large district from 2022 to 2025, is challenging Sullivan, a two-term incumbent.
    — Matthew Choi The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Uncertainty and change have always been challenging to handle, for some people more than others, said Michel Dugas, a psychology professor at the University of Québec in Outaouais.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of challenge
Verb
  • But on Monday, Broadcom CEO Hock Tan likened many of the investors drawn to the AI boom to gamblers and questioned the economics of AI labs as Wall Street debates whether the AI bubble will burst.
    — Andrew Nusca, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2026
  • The candidates for county judge debated the county’s most pressing issues, including budget management, flood control and jail diversion.
    — Katie Bartlett, San Antonio Express-News, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of debate
Verb
  • At Telluride, Fielder said the filmmakers initially doubted Seyfried would want to participate.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026
  • The event silenced critics who doubted the practicality of using ammonia as a zero-carbon fuel at sea.
    — Muskan Bhatia, Interesting Engineering, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of doubt
Verb
  • The defendants have asked Judge Amanda Brailsford to dismiss the lawsuit.
    — Sarah Cutler, Idaho Statesman, 19 Oct. 2026
  • Those of us committed to public education should be asking whether public school families know these resources may be available to them.
    — Raymond C. Pierce, Sun Sentinel, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of ask

Phrases Containing question

Browse Nearby Words

questing
question
questionable
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Cite this Entry

“Question.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/question. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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