# inquisitor

/ˌɪnˈkwɪzətɝ/ (US) · /ˈɪnkwɪsˌɪtɐ/ (UK) · CEFR C2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/inquisitor
Updated: 2026-05-20

## Definition

a person who asks many questions to find out the truth. In the past, this word was used for someone who looked for people who had broken religious rules.

For teachers: a person who investigates or interrogates to discover the truth or to enforce religious orthodoxy. Historically associated with the medieval Catholic Church's tribunals.

## Examples

- The detective acted as an inquisitor to uncover the crime.
- The committee acted as an inquisitor, demanding detailed documentation of every expense before approving the grant.
- The historical novel portrays the protagonist as a reluctant inquisitor, forced to navigate the brutal logic of the tribunal to save his own life.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.