Skip to main content
to investigate

to investigate

2.8
To look carefully at something to find facts
  • verb
  • /ɪnˈvɛstɪɡeɪt/
translation icon : investigar
  • Local authorities are working hard to investigate the recent reports of vandalism in the neighborhood.
  • studies investigate
  • investigate the effects
  • investigate further

And did you guys investigate who the priest is at the church?

Autoplay Next

Examples

  • I am investigating the disappearance of a Mr Milo Tindle.

  • So then they come in, they investigate what happened.

  • But we're going to investigate what that actually means.

  • Yeah, I mean, so it's my job to investigate weird things in finance.

  • The truth is I hired you to investigate my wife.

  • The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of various curriculum models on physical activity.

    Academic text (2011)
  • I'm investigating the details now.

  • In our first example, we will investigate how this is produced through one of these checklists.

    Academic text (2011)
  • In light of this trend, this study investigates the fast-changing nature of the community college student population.

    Academic text (2011)
  • The intrepid explorers go down to investigate the alien life form.

Synonyms

to find
vsto investigate
1.0

To discover something while looking or by accident

is the systematic careful study rather than an accidental discovery
to look at
vsto investigate
1.0

Study something carefully to understand it or decide

is often more active searching to discover factual information
to check
vsto investigate
1.0

Examine something to make sure it is correct or true

is more about finding information than only confirming correctness
to find out
vsto investigate
2.1

To learn something you did not know, often by searching or asking

is the deliberate act of careful study aimed at finding facts
to discover
vsto investigate
1.0

To find out about something for the first time, often by chance

is the intentional careful study to uncover information
to check out
vsto investigate
2.5

To look at or test something to learn more about it

is the general careful study aimed at finding facts
to study
vsto investigate
1.0

To look at something carefully to understand it

is similar but can be shorter or more practical in purpose
to examine
vsto investigate
868 2.5

To look at something carefully to find facts or problems

is the general act of careful study to discover facts
to determine
vsto investigate
781 2.3

To find out a fact by checking or measuring

is the common careful examination to discover facts
to analyze
vsto investigate
  • US
675 3.2

To study something carefully to understand it better

focuses more on discovering facts rather than breaking parts apart
to look into
vsto investigate
573 2.8

Examine something carefully to find out more

is the general careful study aimed at discovering facts
to explore
vsto investigate
471 2.3

To study something carefully to learn more about it

is more focused on finding specific facts rather than broad exploration
to research
vsto investigate
300 3.1

To study a subject carefully to find new facts

is broader and can include quicker or informal examination
to look through
vsto investigate
180 2.8

To read or check something carefully for mistakes

is broader, including active field or hands-on examination
to get to the bottom of
vsto investigate
137 3.9

Find the real reason for a problem by checking carefully

is the regular careful study that may not aim to find a root cause
to scrutinize
vsto investigate
  • US
70 6.2

To look at something very carefully to check for mistakes

is similar but with slightly less extreme thoroughness
to delve
vsto investigate
61 4.7

To look deeply into a subject to find information

is the standard careful study without the same depth
to ascertain
vsto investigate
59 5.7

To find out for sure by checking the facts

is broader careful study that may not guarantee certainty
to scope
vsto investigate
48 3.7

To look carefully at something to learn about it

is the broad careful study to discover facts rather than just assess
to probe
vsto investigate
  • Literature
35 5.1

To ask careful questions to find hidden information

is the general careful study rather than focused questioning
to peruse
vsto investigate
32 7.0

To read something slowly and carefully to understand it

covers careful study in any form, not only reading
to unearth
vsto investigate
23 4.4

To find hidden facts or things by careful searching

is the process of careful study rather than the resulting discovery
to inquire
vsto investigate
  • Formal
16 3.7

To ask questions as part of an official investigation

is the general careful study without formal procedures
to suss
vsto investigate
  • UK
14 8.4

To find out what is happening by looking for facts and clues

is more formal and systematic in finding facts
to ferret out
vsto investigate
  • Informal
13 6.7

To search carefully to find hidden facts or documents

is the careful study that may not focus on hidden items
to suss out
vsto investigate
  • UK
8 8.2

To find out what is really happening

is the standard careful study, possibly more formal
to probe deeper
vsto investigate
1 4.4

To look into something more carefully to find hidden facts

is the base careful study without necessarily going deeper
to sond
vsto investigate
9.9

To examine by probing with a tool or by asking questions

is the careful study that may not involve physical probing

Antonyms

1.0

Choose not to pay attention to someone or something

How Thoroughly

to scrutinize
  • US
70 6.2
to investigate
2.8
to look into
573 2.8
to check
1.0

Surface Forms

investigate infinitive
investigated past participle
investigating present participle
investigates third person singular

Etymology

The word investigate comes from the parts in- meaning 'into' and vestig meaning 'track' or 'trace', like the word vestige which means 'a small trace'. So to investigate something is like 'tracking into' it to find facts, which is why it means to examine something carefully to discover information.