Skip to main content
interrogation

interrogation

295 5.1
A set of formal questions asked to get information during an investigation
  • noun
  • /ˌɪntəˈrɒɡeɪʃən/
  • Formal
: interrogatorio
  • After the lengthy interrogation, the suspect finally revealed important details.
  • a police interrogation
  • interrogation techniques
  • detention and interrogation

Two weeks prior to going to California, I took a class called Interrogation and surveillance.

Autoplay Next

Examples

  • But average people don't understand how stressful a police interrogation can be, he says.

    Academic text (1999)
  • During the interrogation, the detective asked questions to uncover the truth.

  • OK, the interrogation probably went too far.

  • Remember this is not an interrogation or a trial.

  • I'm afraid the interrogation will last more than a night.

  • Mr. Dancer, you will continue your interrogation without comment.

  • You have the right to an attorney to be present during your interrogation.

  • Police officers led J.D. out of the interrogation room, down the hallway.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • Investigators subjected applicants to severe interrogation, with questions even more numerous and detailed than in the past.

    Academic text (1998)
  • American officials have used enhanced interrogation techniques on a total of 28 detainees.

    Academic text (2011)

Synonyms

questioning
vsinterrogation
204 3.2

A time when someone asks questions to find information

is specific to formal, systematic asking during investigations
inquiry
vsinterrogation
157 3.9

An act of asking questions to get information

is a narrower act of formal, systematic asking within investigations
examination
vsinterrogation
  • Formal
65 2.9

Formal questioning of a person in an official or academic setting

is used for formal systematic asking during investigations
catechization
vsinterrogation
  • Formal
9.8

Asking someone many questions to get information or make sure they understand

is focused on formal, systematic asking for investigative information rather than checking understanding

Compounds

16 9.2

Harsh or violent questioning by government officials that is like torture

interrogation point
  • Specialized
1 2.5

A punctuation mark shaped like ? used at the end of a question

1 7.9

Questioning someone for a long time to cause stress or force answers

How Intense

cross-examination
  • Formal
58 7.6
interrogation
  • Formal
295 5.1
interview
  • Formal
∞ 2.1
question
∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

interrogation singular

Morphology

interrogation = interrogate (transparent) = interrogate + ation

Formed by a straightforward noun derivation from the verb 'interrogate' (action/result), so the meaning is directly derived.

Etymology

Interrogation comes from the Latin parts inter- 'between' and rogare 'to ask'. Think of it as a careful 'asking' — a set of questions, often official, used to get information.