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
The Twisted Tale of Amanda Knox grapples with innocence and interrogation as her life is permanently altered.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 30 July 2025
Begun as an interrogation of evil, the bio climaxes in farce.
—John Hopewell, Variety, 29 July 2025
Press conferences meant to revolve around team selection and fitness levels instead became a blur of interrogations of players over the ongoing Rubiales’ scandal and their opinions on it.
—Megan Feringa, New York Times, 27 July 2025
How to ask proper questions in the interview, how to transition to interrogation, how to elicit the truth.
—Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 8 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for interrogation
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.
Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 30 July 2025
Begun as an interrogation of evil, the bio climaxes in farce.
—John Hopewell, Variety, 29 July 2025
Press conferences meant to revolve around team selection and fitness levels instead became a blur of interrogations of players over the ongoing Rubiales’ scandal and their opinions on it.
—Megan Feringa, New York Times, 27 July 2025
How to ask proper questions in the interview, how to transition to interrogation, how to elicit the truth.
—Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 8 July 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 23 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share