Meaning & use
Interpellate
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To formally question a government minister or official about a policy or action, especially in a parliamentary setting.
See it in a sentence
Opposition members moved to interpellate the finance minister over the budget shortfall.
The assembly voted to interpellate the health secretary on the handling of the crisis.
A note on using this word
A formal parliamentary term found mainly in countries with European-style legislatures; philosopher Louis Althusser also gave it a distinct meaning in critical theory.
Words with a similar meaning
Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.
Another way to use it
2. verb
In critical theory, to constitute or address an individual as a subject through ideology.
Althusser argued that ideology interpellates individuals as subjects.
Make it your own
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