Inquisitor
/ɪnˈkwɪzɪtər/noun
A person who asks a lot of difficult questions in a very determined manner.
The journalist was an inquisitor, persistent in asking questions about the company's financial scandal.
Often appears as...
- relentless inquisitor
- persistent inquisitor
noun
An official who makes sure people obey a particular law or rule.
During the Spanish Inquisition, inquisitors were feared for their brutal interrogations.
Often appears as...
- church inquisitor
- spanish inquisitor
Usage tips
Formal, Disapproving
Historical
noun
A person who asks a lot of difficult questions in a very determined manner.
The journalist was an inquisitor, persistent in asking questions about the company's financial scandal.
Often appears as...
- relentless inquisitor
- persistent inquisitor
noun
An official who makes sure people obey a particular law or rule.
During the Spanish Inquisition, inquisitors were feared for their brutal interrogations.
Often appears as...
- church inquisitor
- spanish inquisitor
Usage tips
Formal, Disapproving
Historical
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Assertive Tone
Use 'inquisitor' to convey someone's strong, probing manner when they question.
He approached the interview like an inquisitor, demanding clear answers.
Pro Tip 2/3Critical Context
Often implies a distrust or skepticism towards the person being questioned.
The manager felt like an inquisitor questioning the employee's unusual expense claims.
Pro Tip 3/3Negative Implication
Can suggest someone is too demanding or intrusive with their questions.
The residents viewed the investigator as a nosy inquisitor, crossing personal boundaries.
Compare with
enforceexaminerinspectorinterrogatorinvestigatorjudgeprosecutorialquestioner
Never forget "Inquisitor"
Humans forget easily. That's why you should download WordUp: Smart reminders, word games, AI practice, and much more!
Video examples
The human insights...
holding the orange notebook? Well, those were the temple guides, and they worked hand in hand with the oracle. When inquisitors would come and get on their knees, that's when the temple guides would get to work, because after they asked her questions, they would observe their emotional state,
Video examples
Ugly History: The...
On the ground, groups called tribunals ran the Inquisition in each region. Roles on a tribunal could include an arresting constable, a prosecuting attorney, inquisitors to question the accused, and a scribe.
Video examples
The human insights...
holding the orange notebook? Well, those were the temple guides, and they worked hand in hand with the oracle. When inquisitors would come and get on their knees, that's when the temple guides would get to work, because after they asked her questions, they would observe their emotional state,
Video examples
Ugly History: The...
On the ground, groups called tribunals ran the Inquisition in each region. Roles on a tribunal could include an arresting constable, a prosecuting attorney, inquisitors to question the accused, and a scribe.
Example 1 of 2
Quote examples
David Sax
Canadian Journalist
Who among us is so certain of our identity? Who hasn't been asked, 'What's your background?' and hesitated, even for a split second, to answer their inquisitor. Howard Jacobson's 'The Finkler Question' forces us to ask that of ourselves, and that's why it's a must read, no matter what your background.
Quote examples
Alfred Whitney Griswold
American Educator
In the long run of history, the censor and the inquisitor have always lost. The only sure weapon against bad ideas is better ideas.
Quote examples
Frank Howard Clark
American Writer
There is nothing that can help you understand your beliefs more than trying to explain them to an inquisitor.
Quote examples
David Sax
Canadian Journalist
Who among us is so certain of our identity? Who hasn't been asked, 'What's your background?' and hesitated, even for a split second, to answer their inquisitor. Howard Jacobson's 'The Finkler Question' forces us to ask that of ourselves, and that's why it's a must read, no matter what your background.
Quote examples
Alfred Whitney Griswold
American Educator
In the long run of history, the censor and the inquisitor have always lost. The only sure weapon against bad ideas is better ideas.
Quote examples
Frank Howard Clark
American Writer
There is nothing that can help you understand your beliefs more than trying to explain them to an inquisitor.
Example 1 of 3
WordUp Chrome Extension
As you browse the web instantly look up words you don’t know.
Get Chrome Extension