investigate
9 synonyms for investigate, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To look into something carefully in order to find out the facts.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use investigate
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
investigate a crime
investigate a complaint
investigate further
Etymology
From Latin investigare, "to track or search into" (in- + vestigare, "to track," from vestigium, "footprint" — the same root as "vestige").
Full origin of investigate →Frequently asked questions
What does “investigate” mean?
The word “investigate” means to look into something carefully in order to find out the facts. In plain terms, to dig into the facts of a situation to figure out what really happened.
How do you pronounce “investigate”?
“Investigate” is pronounced ihn-VEHS-tuh-gayt ([ɪnˈvɛs.tɪ.ɡeɪ̯t] in IPA).
How do you use “investigate” in a sentence?
Here is “investigate” used in a sentence: “Detectives were sent to investigate the break-in.”
What is another word for “investigate”?
Words with a similar meaning to “investigate” include underseek.
What part of speech is “investigate”?
“Investigate” is a verb.
Where does the word “investigate” come from?
The word “investigate” comes from Latin. From Latin investigare, "to track or search into" (in- + vestigare, "to track," from vestigium, "footprint" — the same root as "vestige").
Is “investigate” a common word?
“Investigate” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
What is the difference between 'investigate' and 'research'?
To 'investigate' is to look into a specific matter carefully to uncover the facts, often about a problem, crime, or claim. 'Research' is broader study to gather knowledge on a subject and does not require a suspected issue to look into.
When should you use 'investigate' instead of 'examine'?
Use 'investigate' when you are trying to find out the truth or causes behind something, often systematically over time. 'Examine' suggests inspecting something closely at a given moment, so investigating usually implies a wider, ongoing inquiry.
Is 'investigate' followed by a preposition?
'Investigate' is usually used directly with an object, as in 'investigate the crime', with no preposition. You can also 'investigate into' a matter, but many style guides consider the plain form 'investigate the matter' cleaner.
