inquisition
an official investigation, especially one of a political or religious nature, characterized by lack of regard for individual rights, prejudice on the part of the examiners, and recklessly cruel punishments.
any harsh, difficult, or prolonged questioning.
the act of inquiring; inquiry; research.
an investigation, or process of inquiry.
a judicial or official inquiry.
the finding of such an inquiry.
the document embodying the result of such inquiry.
(initial capital letter)Roman Catholic Church.
a former special tribunal, engaged chiefly in combating and punishing heresy.: Compare Holy Office.
Origin of inquisition
1Other words for inquisition
Other words from inquisition
- in·qui·si·tion·al, adjective
- pre·in·qui·si·tion, noun
Words Nearby inquisition
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use inquisition in a sentence
The state Senate that ordered the process is calling it an audit, and all the ballots are being recounted, but it’s not really an audit or a recount — it’s a partisan inquisition.
What’s Happening In Arizona Is Not Really An Audit Or A Recount. It’s A Partisan Inquisition. | Kaleigh Rogers | May 28, 2021 | FiveThirtyEightStrom’s vast sonic worlds called out for meditative inquisitions and influenced a new generation of artists creating impressionistic experimental and electronic music.
Pauline Anna Strom’s posthumous album cements her legacy as an electronic music visionary | Jonathan Williger | February 19, 2021 | Washington PostThey will be subjected to inquisition, and will await resurrection in the grave like any normal Muslim.
An Ex-Radical's Open Letter to ISIS Fighters: Quit Now While You Can! | Maajid Nawaz | September 10, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTIn a meeting at the Vatican, Netanyahu and the pontiff talk Syria and Iran and Francis gets a book on the Spanish inquisition.
Benjamin Netanyahu Meets Pope Francis In Rome | Barbie Latza Nadeau | December 2, 2013 | THE DAILY BEASTWhy is the agency getting what amounts to a free ride in the current inquisition?
The Armstrong-Winfrey inquisition continued Friday night, yielding these major bombshells.
8 Juiciest Bits From Night Two of Lance and Oprah | Kevin Fallon | January 19, 2013 | THE DAILY BEAST“When you say ‘Christianity’ to Israelis they immediately think of the Holocaust and the [Spanish] inquisition,” he told Haaretz.
When I was at Portugal, there was held at that time the court of justice of the inquisition.
Philip Limborch died; a Dutch professor of divinity, and author of a history of the inquisition.
The Every Day Book of History and Chronology | Joel MunsellAfter an uncertain period of waiting, the orderly called "Gordon MacRae," and the inquisition began.
Raw Gold | Bertrand W. SinclairIn the midst of their conjuring, the inquisition came down upon them.
The History of England from the Accession of James II. | Thomas Babington MacaulayIn 1726 he was denounced to the inquisition for the offence of reading forbidden books.
British Dictionary definitions for inquisition (1 of 2)
/ (ˌɪnkwɪˈzɪʃən) /
the act of inquiring deeply or searchingly; investigation
a deep or searching inquiry, esp a ruthless official investigation of individuals in order to suppress revolt or root out the unorthodox
an official inquiry, esp one held by a jury before an officer of the Crown
another word for inquest (def. 2)
Origin of inquisition
1Derived forms of inquisition
- inquisitional, adjective
- inquisitionist, noun
British Dictionary definitions for Inquisition (2 of 2)
/ (ˌɪnkwɪˈzɪʃən) /
history a judicial institution of the Roman Catholic Church (1232–1820) founded to discover and suppress heresy: See also Spanish Inquisition
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Cultural definitions for Inquisition
A court established by the Roman Catholic Church in the thirteenth century to try cases of heresy and other offenses against the church. Those convicted could be handed over to the civil authorities for punishment, including execution.
Notes for Inquisition
Notes for Inquisition
The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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