ask

verb

ˈask How to pronounce ask (audio)
Definition of asknext
1
as in to interrogate
to put a question or questions to my coworkers asked me all about my trip to Machu Picchu

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to request
to make a request of ask the salesclerk for assistance

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to charge
to set or receive as a price they are only asking $300 for that antique grandfather clock

Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in to invite
to request the presence or participation of a fixture on the party circuit, that couple is always asking people over for dinner

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb ask contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of ask are inquire, interrogate, query, and question. While all these words mean "to address a person in order to gain information," ask implies no more than the putting of a question.

ask for directions

In what contexts can inquire take the place of ask?

The words inquire and ask are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, inquire implies a searching for facts or for truth often specifically by asking questions.

began to inquire of friends and teachers what career she should pursue

When would interrogate be a good substitute for ask?

The synonyms interrogate and ask are sometimes interchangeable, but interrogate suggests formal or official systematic questioning.

the prosecutor interrogated the witness all day

When might query be a better fit than ask?

The words query and ask can be used in similar contexts, but query implies a desire for authoritative information or confirmation.

queried a librarian about the book

When is question a more appropriate choice than ask?

Although the words question and ask have much in common, question usually suggests the asking of series of questions.

questioned them about every detail of the trip

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of ask Hours later, Trump was asked at a press conference about the decision. —Zack Sharf, Variety, 10 Apr. 2025 This included when one circuit asked fans of Minions: The Rise of Gru to stop throwing bananas (talk about a slippery slope!). —Pamela McClintock, HollywoodReporter, 10 Apr. 2025 Her mom has successfully kept her isolated from her grandfather even though Hazel has asked a lot about him and shown interest in getting to know him. —Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 10 Apr. 2025 The Sheriff’s Department asked anyone with information about the incident to call the homicide bureau at (323) 890-5500. —Dakota Smith, Los Angeles Times, 30 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for ask
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ask
  1. interrogate
  2. request
  3. charge
  4. invite
  5. question
  6. demand
  7. quiz
Verb
  • She was detained by Italian police for questioning and interrogated for 53 hours over five days without legal counsel or an interpreter present.
    — Lynsey Eidell, People.com, 27 Mar. 2025
  • More than a retrospective, the installation interrogates the tension between Modernist ideals and today’s ecological realities, moving beyond industrial rationalism toward a wilder, more organic future.
    — Natalie Stoclet, Forbes, 24 Mar. 2025
Definition of interrogate
Verb
  • As his May 5 trial looms, Combes earlier this week requested a postponement of the legal proceeding.
    — Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2025
  • This casserole is creamy, cheesy, and is one the whole family (especially the grandkids) request time after time.
    — Nellah Bailey McGough, Southern Living, 19 Apr. 2025
Definition of request
Verb
  • The Tribune has withheld her name because she has not been charged with a crime and is employed by CPS.
    — Nell Salzman, Chicago Tribune, 18 Apr. 2025
  • The other person was Jamison Wagner, who was charged on April 14 for arson attacks at the New Mexico Republican Party headquarters and a Tesla dealership.
    — Krystal Nurse, USA Today, 18 Apr. 2025
Definition of charge
Verb
  • This week, Lana Del Rey yearns for freedom on her latest ballad, Addison Rae invites listeners into her synth-pop fantasy, and JID puts the bar work in on his latest release.
    — Rolling Stone, Rolling Stone, 18 Apr. 2025
  • Nothing that happens makes much sense, from the director of the New York Philharmonic showing up in Ransom to beg Quinn to come play in the orchestra to high schoolers getting invited to Senate fundraising events.
    — Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 18 Apr. 2025
Definition of invite
Verb
  • The shooting Saturday in Pocatello outraged the boy's family and neighbors as well as viewers online who questioned why the officers opened fire within about 12 seconds of exiting their patrol cars while making no apparent effort to de-escalate the situation or use less lethal weapons.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 9 Apr. 2025
  • Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes The government has long had broad discretion to question and search noncitizens before admitting them into the country.
    — Albert Sun, New York Times, 9 Apr. 2025
Definition of question
Verb
  • In one letter, Democrats on the House Judiciary Committee demanded a list of every citizen detained during the new administration.
    — Nicole Foy, ProPublica, 14 Apr. 2025
  • At special hearings organized by Santa Clara County Supervisor Sylvia Arenas and her former colleague Cindy Chavez, Kraft and dozens of colleagues demanded reforms and a rebalancing of a system that left too many children in dangerous homes.
    — Julia Prodis Sulek, Mercury News, 13 Apr. 2025
Definition of demand
Verb
  • Host An Interactive Townhall When the team feels off track, host an interactive town hall and have your internal comms team add engaging elements like live Q&As, real-time polls and fun quizzes to lighten the mood.
    — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025
  • The cake is made in a blender (what?!) and Jesse quizzes Shilpa on how that works.
    — Bon Appétit, Bon Appetit Magazine, 2 Apr. 2025
Definition of quiz

Phrases Containing ask

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asininity
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Cite this Entry

“Ask.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ask. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.

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