ask implies no more than the putting of a question.
ask for directions
question usually suggests the asking of series of questions.
questioned them about every detail of the trip
interrogate suggests formal or official systematic questioning.
the prosecutor interrogated the witness all day
query implies a desire for authoritative information or confirmation.
queried a librarian about the book
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
Example Sentences
interrogate a prisoner of warinterrogated him about where he'd gone the night before
Recent Examples on the WebThe trailer shows federal agents arriving at the Broberg's home to interrogate them about their relationship with Berchtold. Julia Moore, Peoplemag, 13 Sep. 2022 This was yet another delay after a months-long battle in courts to stall and avoid the AG’s office efforts to interrogate them. Marta Dhanis, Fox News, 10 Aug. 2022 In the ongoing legal fight about Jamie Spears's handling of Britney's conservatorship, the attorneys for the pop star's father wanted to interrogate her about her allegations against him. Rosa Sanchez, Harper's BAZAAR, 28 July 2022 The couple’s fairly quiet life together is upended when new parties attempt to interrogate them about the mysterious gateway and the world beyond it. J. Kim Murphy, Variety, 5 July 2022 Now, parents often interrogate teachers about their teaching practices. Connor Sanders, The Salt Lake Tribune, 29 June 2022 Monkeypox also represents an opportunity to interrogate some larger global health paradigms, like whose voices and lives are prioritized, and for whom resources are mobilized? Vinay Kampalath, STAT, 8 June 2022 The intelligence officers, called Joint Task Force-Guantanamo, were dispatched to interrogate the detainees for information about future terrorist plots. Josh Margolin, ABC News, 9 Sep. 2021 The fund was set up to support projects that interrogate British culture, asking questions of identity, the current journey and the future. Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 18 May 2022 See More
Word History
Etymology
Latin interrogatus, past participle of interrogare, from inter- + rogare to ask — more at right