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
In keeping with the straightforward spirit of these kinds of projects, the film doesn’t interrogate the cost of health care in America, or the limitations of insurance companies.
—
David Bloom, Forbes.com, 21 May 2025
Scenes of Gustav and Rachel feeling their way through his script, interrogating the characters’ motivations in rehearsal, encourage audiences to pose the same questions about the surrounding film.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 21 May 2025
Bong, the country’s most beloved movie figure, and allies laid down the gauntlet with their public pressure campaign: the forces that had made the lives of public entertainers so perilous needed to be exposed and interrogated, and the human rights of artists urgently required greater protection.
—Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 21 May 2025
Or, as the popularity of games like The Last of Us has demonstrated, interrogating that violence.
—Joshua Rivera, Vulture, 20 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for interrogate
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David Bloom, Forbes.com, 21 May 2025
Scenes of Gustav and Rachel feeling their way through his script, interrogating the characters’ motivations in rehearsal, encourage audiences to pose the same questions about the surrounding film.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 21 May 2025
Bong, the country’s most beloved movie figure, and allies laid down the gauntlet with their public pressure campaign: the forces that had made the lives of public entertainers so perilous needed to be exposed and interrogated, and the human rights of artists urgently required greater protection.
—Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 21 May 2025
Or, as the popularity of games like The Last of Us has demonstrated, interrogating that violence.
—Joshua Rivera, Vulture, 20 May 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 3 Jun. 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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