ENGLISH
REFERENCE

interrogated

v.
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˌɪnˈtɛɹəˌɡeɪtɪd// UK //ɪntˈɛɹəɡˌeɪtɪd// in·ter·ro·gat·ed

v. to ask someone many questions in a very serious or forceful way. This usually happens when the police or someone in power wants to get information or the truth.

v. to question a person formally and systematically, often under duress or in an official capacity. Transitive — requires a direct object, typically the person being questioned.


SIMPLE

The police interrogated the suspect for three hours.

CONTEXTUAL

After the security breach, the manager interrogated every employee who had access to the server room.

COMPLEX

The historian interrogated the primary sources, looking for inconsistencies that might reveal the true motivations behind the treaty's sudden signing.

Synonyms
Usage

The verb is transitive and takes a direct object. In figurative use, it can mean to examine a text or idea very closely.

Pitfall

The detective interrogated about the crime.The detective interrogated the witness about the crime.Interrogate is transitive; you must specify the person or thing being questioned directly after the verb.

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