English vocabulary · C1
Interrogate
/ɪnˈtɛrəɡeɪt/ · v.
It means to question someone closely and in great detail.
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Example sentences
- Police officers interrogate the suspect for hours.
- The coach began to interrogate every player after the loss.
Word origin and roots
from Latin
- inter — between (from Latin)
- rog — ask (from Latin)
Synonyms and nuances
- QUESTION — ask for information (General & Common)
- GRILL — question hard and fast (Intense & Informal)
- EXAMINE — look at closely (Formal & Careful)
Words with the same root
rog — ask
- derogatory — showing disrespect or scorn
- surrogate — a person who acts in place of another
- prerogative — a special right held only by one person or group
Lesson notes
Interrogate. It means to question someone closely and in great detail.
Similar words are question, grill, and examine. Use interrogate when someone is pushed hard for a full and honest answer.
Police officers interrogate the suspect for hours. The coach began to interrogate every player after the loss.
From Latin. Inter- means between. Rog- means ask. Asking again and again between two people — that is interrogate.