Synonyms for question
- noun
- verb
Synonyms by meaning
Noun
1. Topic — A subject or topic for consideration or investigation
topic, problem, subject, proposition, matter, point, case, consideration, theme
2. Doubt — A doubt or challenge about the truth, accuracy, or validity of a matter
doubt, issue, objection US, scruple, mistrust, dubiousness rare, doubtfulness rare
3. Inquiry — A worded or expressed sentence, phrase, or only a word on its own, which asks for information, a reply, or a…
Other
Verb
1. Call into question
call into question, oppugn rare
2. Ask
ask, interrogate, wonder, challenge, examine, quiz, inquire, enquire UK, inquire of US, demand, consult, pump, catechize rare, catechise UK, frain dated
Other
dispute, debate, interview, contest, contradict, impugn, controvert rare, interpellate rare, quaeritate dated
Definitions
- n. 1
A worded or expressed sentence, phrase, or only a word on its own, which asks for information, a reply, or a response; an interrogative.
- n. 2
A subject or topic for consideration or investigation.
There was a question of which material to use.
- v. 1
To ask questions of; to interrogate; to ask for information.
- v. 2
To raise doubts about; have doubts about.
He questioned South Korean claims that China is a major source of its pollution.
Forms
- Plural
- questions → topics, problems, subjects, propositions…
- Past participle
- questioned
e.g. questioned → oppugned, asked, interrogated, wondered…
Choose the right word
Since a topic for discussion is often stated in the form of a question, question has come to be extensively used to denote a debatable topic, especially of a practical nature--an issue; as, the labor question; the temperance question.
J. C. Fernald, English Synonyms and Antonyms (1914)
Example sentences
- problem It is said that nobody has solved the problem yet.
- subject A man of strong will is not subject to corruption.
- topic Politics was the main topic of their conversation.
- proposition An interesting proposition is raised in your book.
- doubt There's a blind man looking for a shadow of doubt.
- inquiry This subject is outside the scope of our inquiry.
Popularity over time
| Word | 1850 → 2019 | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| question | falling | |
| problem | falling | |
| subject | falling | |
| topic | rising | |
| proposition | falling | |
| doubt | steady |
Use in printed books, per decade from 1850 to 2019.
By length
- 3 letters
- ask1
- 4 letters
- case1, head1, pump1, quiz1
- 5 letters
- point1, issue2, doubt1, theme1, topic2, query2, frain1
- 6 letters
- matter2, wonder2, demand2, motion2, debate2, impugn2, oppugn
- 7 letters
- problem2, subject2, contest2, dispute2, inquiry3, examine3, consult2, enquiry3, inquire2, enquire3, scruple2
- 8 letters
- proposal3, mistrust2
- 9 letters
- challenge2, interview3, objection3, catechize, catechise
- 10 letters
- contradict3, controvert, quaeritate
- 11 letters
- proposition4, interrogate4, dubiousness
- 12 letters
- doubtfulness, interpellate
- 13 letters
- consideration5, interrogation5, interrogative, interrogatory6
The small number after each word is its number of syllables (issue2 = 2 syllables).