noun
Uncommon
inquisition
ihngk-wih-ZIH-shuhn
Inquisition (noun) means a thorough, often aggressive investigation or interrogation. Example: “The meeting felt less like a review and more like an inquisition.”
noun
1
A thorough, often aggressive investigation or interrogation.
"The meeting felt less like a review and more like an inquisition."
name
1
The historical tribunal established by the Catholic Church to root out heresy, especially in Spain.
"The Spanish Inquisition is remembered for its brutal interrogations."
How to use inquisition
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA harsh, searching investigation — or, capitalized, the historical Church tribunal.
Common pairings
the Spanish Inquisition
feel like an inquisition
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Word forms
- Plural
- inquisitions
- Third person singular
- inquisitions
- Past tense
- inquisitioned
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The meeting felt less like a review and more like an _____.
Etymology
From Latin inquisitio, from inquirere, "to inquire into"; its harsh connotation comes from the historical Spanish Inquisition.
Rhymes for inquisition
region
ablation
allusion
emulsion
ideation
novation
diffusion
elocution
extension
oxidation
perfusion
selection
See all rhymes for inquisition →
Frequently asked questions
What does “inquisition” mean?
The word “inquisition” means a thorough, often aggressive investigation or interrogation. In plain terms, a harsh, searching investigation — or, capitalized, the historical Church tribunal.
How do you pronounce “inquisition”?
“Inquisition” is pronounced ihngk-wih-ZIH-shuhn (/ˌɪŋkwɪˈzɪʃən/ in IPA).
How do you use “inquisition” in a sentence?
Here is “inquisition” used in a sentence: “The meeting felt less like a review and more like an inquisition.”
What part of speech is “inquisition”?
Depending on how it is used, “inquisition” can be a noun and a name.
Where does the word “inquisition” come from?
The word “inquisition” comes from Latin. From Latin inquisitio, from inquirere, "to inquire into"; its harsh connotation comes from the historical Spanish Inquisition.
Is “inquisition” a common word?
“Inquisition” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “inquisition” have?
“Inquisition” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a thorough, often aggressive investigation or interrogation.
