English vocabulary · C1
Inquisition
/ˌɪnkwəˈzɪʃən/ · n.
It means a long series of harsh questions. It feels unfair, like a trial.
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Example sentences
- Dad turned dinner into an inquisition.
- The hearing felt like an inquisition.
Word origin and roots
from Latin
- in — into (from Latin)
- quisit — ask (from Latin)
Synonyms and nuances
- INTERROGATION — harsh official questioning (Formal & Intense)
- PROBE — careful deep search (Deep & Searching)
- QUESTIONING — asking questions (Neutral & Everyday)
Words with the same root
quisit — ask
- question — something you ask
- require — to demand as needed
- request — to ask for politely
Lesson notes
Inquisition. It means a long series of harsh questions. It feels unfair, like a trial.
Related: interrogation, probe, questioning. Use inquisition when questions feel harsh.
Dad turned dinner into an inquisition. The hearing felt like an inquisition.
From Latin. In- means into. Quisit- means ask. Asking into everything — that is an inquisition.