Inquisition – the act of inquiring into a matter; an investigation When capitalized, this noun refers to a tribunal in the Roman Catholic Church directed at the suppression of heresy in former times. For this reason, the word implies the use of harsh measures in the process of questioning. to inquire - to ask a question to request information Interrogation - to interrogate - to examine by formal questioning, to ask In everyday usage "interrogation'' is the more commonly used word. (Ex: The interrogation of the prisoner yielded no new infornmation.)