interrogation

Meanings

1. 1nouncountable or uncountable

   A session of hard, persistent questioning by officials, intended to get facts or a confession from someone.

   Grammar: Countable for one session (a long interrogation) and uncountable for the practice (interrogation is banned).

   Patterns

   • the interrogation of someone
   • under interrogation
   • interrogation by someone

   The suspect cracked after six hours of interrogation.

   Police videotaped every interrogation to prevent later disputes.

   The spy refused to say a word under interrogation.

2. 2nouncountableinformalhumorous

   A series of sharp, demanding questions from anyone, which can make the listener feel pressured or accused.

   Grammar: Used informally in everyday life: my mother's interrogation about the party.

   Patterns

   • an interrogation about something
   • face an interrogation

   I got a full interrogation from my sister about where I had been.

   Dinner turned into an interrogation about my exam plans.

   Every new boyfriend had to survive her father's interrogation.

Word forms

Common combinations

harsh interrogation

The report criticised the harsh interrogation of prisoners.

subject someone to interrogation

Officers subjected him to hours of interrogation.

interrogation room

A single table sat in the middle of the interrogation room.

undergo interrogation

The witnesses had to undergo interrogation at the station.

interrogation techniques

Legal experts debated which interrogation techniques were acceptable.

Synonyms and how they differ

questioning

Questioning is neutral and can be friendly, while interrogation implies pressure and authority.

cross-examination

Cross-examination happens in a courtroom and challenges a witness's statements, whereas interrogation usually occurs before trial.

grilling

Grilling is an informal word for long, tough questioning and fits family or media settings better.

interview

An interview is usually cooperative and for information, so it lacks the force of an interrogation.

Word family

interrogate verb

to question someone closely and formally

interrogator noun

a person who carries out the questioning

interrogative adjective

relating to or having the form of a question

interrogatory adjective

asking questions; of the nature of a question

Commonly confused: interrogation or interrogative?

Practice

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