inquisitor

noun

in·​quis·​i·​tor in-ˈkwi-zə-tər How to pronounce inquisitor (audio)
: one who inquires or makes inquisition
especially : one who is unduly harsh, severe, or hostile in making an inquiry
inquisitorial adjective
inquisitorially adverb

Examples of inquisitor in a Sentence

He had to answer his inquisitors' questions or be thrown out of school.
Recent Examples on the Web Only Willis and her main inquisitor, Merchant, who wore a cobalt blue dress under a white blazer, stood out in the room’s sobriety. Robin Givhan, Washington Post, 16 Feb. 2024 But the Kremlin hasn’t sought out a potential inquisitor for his first interview since invading Ukraine. Adam Taylor, Washington Post, 8 Feb. 2024 It's partially inspired by director Benjamin Christensen's research on the German text Malleus Maleficarum, a guide to witchcraft for inquisitors looking to persecute its perpetrators. Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 27 Nov. 2023 Cornwell surely knew there was a fan in Morris, an enthusiast of the elusive as much as an inquisitor. Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2023 The initial game, Dark Heresy, focused on inquisitors rooting out enemies of the Empire. Rob Wieland, Forbes, 28 Nov. 2023 Reagan and Kennedy didn’t engage with one another so much as swat away barbs from their hostile inquisitors. Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times, 23 Aug. 2023 The musicians dressed like western gunslingers ready to face their end, and to counteract all the mythic imagery, the interviews are full of the kind of artifice other films edit out, including awkward exchanges between the band members and Scorsese, their stumbling inquisitor. Rob Tannenbaum, New York Times, 10 Aug. 2023 That comfort quickly comes to an end when local priest and inquisitor Feletti (Fabrizio Gifuni) has soldiers whisk little Edgardo away, explaining that the child was secretly baptized by the family maid. Jordan Mintzer, The Hollywood Reporter, 23 May 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'inquisitor.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1504, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of inquisitor was in 1504

Dictionary Entries Near inquisitor

Cite this Entry

“Inquisitor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inquisitor. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

inquisitor

noun
in·​quis·​i·​tor in-ˈkwiz-ət-ər How to pronounce inquisitor (audio)
: one who conducts an inquisition
inquisitorial adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on inquisitor

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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