investigate
to examine, study, or inquire into systematically; search or examine into the particulars of; examine in detail.
to search out and examine the particulars of in an attempt to learn the facts about something hidden, unique, or complex, especially in an attempt to find a motive, cause, or culprit: The police are investigating the murder.
to make inquiry, examination, or investigation.
Origin of investigate
1Other words from investigate
- in·ves·ti·ga·tive, in·ves·ti·ga·to·ry [in-ves-ti-guh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee], /ɪnˈvɛs tɪ gəˌtɔr i, -ˌtoʊr i/, adjective
- in·ves·ti·ga·tor, noun
- pre·in·ves·ti·gate, verb, pre·in·ves·ti·gat·ed, pre·in·ves·ti·gat·ing.
- pre·in·ves·ti·ga·tor, noun
- qua·si-in·ves·ti·gat·ed, adjective
- re·in·ves·ti·gate, verb, re·in·ves·ti·gat·ed, re·in·ves·ti·gat·ing.
- un·in·ves·ti·gat·ed, adjective
- un·in·ves·ti·gat·ing, adjective
- un·in·ves·ti·ga·tive, adjective
- un·in·ves·ti·ga·to·ry, adjective
- well-in·ves·ti·gat·ed, adjective
Words Nearby investigate
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use investigate in a sentence
Now that he’s finally gone there’s an opportunity to explore and investigate a lot more of what’s going on under the hood.
Even with expansion into other categories, Crooked plans to keep things political | Max Willens | February 12, 2021 | DigidayDetectives are continuing to investigate leads and conduct interviews, police said.
Fairfax County police identify victim of fatal shooting in Reston | Justin Jouvenal | February 11, 2021 | Washington PostWhen Umansky tried to find out whether the Police Department would investigate the cops’ actions, he discovered all the ways the NYPD is shielded from accountability.
ProPublica’s “NYPD Files” Wins John Jay College/Harry Frank Guggenheim Award for Excellence in Criminal Justice Reporting | by ProPublica | February 11, 2021 | ProPublicaDetectives remained at the scene investigating Wednesday evening.
Police looking for suspect who fled scene of homicide Wednesday in Reston | Justin Jouvenal | February 10, 2021 | Washington PostWhen they reported the crimes, police sometimes failed to investigate or prosecutors declined to file charges.
Two ProPublica Local Reporting Network Projects Named Finalists for Shadid Award for Journalism Ethics | by ProPublica | February 8, 2021 | ProPublica
When there were disputes between students, Mecallari would leave one party with Ramos while he went to investigate.
Starr stresses that universities are required under Title IX to investigate and intervene in sexual assault cases.
The campaign also said that they would be asking state and federal authorities to investigate.
Grimes Campaign “Exploring Legal Options” Against McConnell | Ben Jacobs | October 31, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTThe National Transportation Safety Board also will investigate the crash, a spokesman told The Daily Beast.
SpaceShipTwo Flew on Untested Rocket | Dave Majumdar, Clive Irving | October 31, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTVita activists have demanded that police investigate how the sea creatures appeared in Moscow and why.
Activists: Moscow Sea Park Is ‘Torturing’ Its Orca Whales | Anna Nemtsova | October 27, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTI resolved to investigate the matter, as it was only verbal, so that it might not become public.
Twenty baskets of it were obtained by the said miners to assay and investigate its nature, and determine what it might be.
In 1901 he went to India to investigate for the Government the railways there, and to report upon them.
Fifty Years of Railway Life in England, Scotland and Ireland | Joseph TatlowIt would be curious to investigate the feelings of princes on occasions so momentous to themselves and to their people.
Journal of a Voyage to Brazil | Maria GrahamHe halted to investigate and find out what was wrong, and at that moment a startled cry came from Clip.
Motor Matt's "Century" Run | Stanley R. Matthews
British Dictionary definitions for investigate
/ (ɪnˈvɛstɪˌɡeɪt) /
to inquire into (a situation or problem, esp a crime or death) thoroughly; examine systematically, esp in order to discover the truth
Origin of investigate
1Derived forms of investigate
- investigable, adjective
- investigative or investigatory, adjective
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
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