What does "interrogatory" mean?
A formal question or set of questions submitted to opposing party to answer, generally governed by court rule.
Interrogatory
/ˌɪntəˈɹɑɡəˌtɔɹi/ adj, noun
adj, noun ·Moderate ·College level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A formal question or set of questions submitted to opposing party to answer, generally governed by court rule.
- Grammar: interrogatory is listed as adj, noun.
- Nearest alternatives: answering, bone of contention, catechism, catechistic.
- Useful contrasts: declaratory, answer, certain.
- Usage evidence: Sidney interposed with an interrogatory concerning the legality of the evidence
How to use "interrogatory"
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- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "interrogatory" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
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- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "interrogatory" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
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Compare nearby meanings
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Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "interrogatory" is acting as adj, noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
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3. Confirm with context
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Final meaning check
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Definitions
Noun
- 1 A formal question or set of questions submitted to opposing party to answer, generally governed by court rule.
"Sidney interposed with an interrogatory concerning the legality of the evidence"
- 2 formal systematic questioning wordnet
- 3 A question; an interrogation.
"But when he found that some of his interrogatories were evaded, and others answered undecisively, the look of gentleness which he had assumed, vanished, and his brow wore the cloud of disappointment and of anger."
Adjective
- 1 Serving to interrogate; questioning.
"an interrogatory glance"
Adjective
- 1 relating to the use of or having the nature of an interrogation wordnet
Synonyms
All synonymsAntonyms
Example
"Sidney interposed with an interrogatory concerning the legality of the evidence"
Common questions
What is a synonym for "interrogatory"?
Common synonyms include: answering, bone of contention, catechism, catechistic, communicating, communicational.
How do you use "interrogatory" in a sentence?
Sidney interposed with an interrogatory concerning the legality of the evidence
How do you pronounce "interrogatory"?
Pronounced /ˌɪntəˈɹɑɡəˌtɔɹi/.
Etymology
From Late Latin; equivalent to interrogate + -ory (“pertaining to”), or more distantly inter- + rogatory.