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Investigate: alternatives and connections

Begin with the reviewed alternatives, then explore broader connections without treating every related word as an automatic substitute.

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26,102 words currently have published synonym-style alternatives
90,593 searchable synonym connections
350,924 published thesaurus relationships of every type
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Investigate

To follow up step by step by patient inquiry or observation; to trace or track mentally; to search into; to inquire and examine into with care and accuracy; to find out by careful inquisition; as, to investigate the causes of natural phenomena.

63 useful connections shown 24 reviewed relationships and 39 broader connections.
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Reviewed alternatives and contrasts

These links were deliberately created. Use the interchangeability score and guidance to judge whether a word will work in your sentence.

Contextual alternative 1

Analyse 88% connected

Alt. of Analyser

ad editorial 2026 08 academic 54% interchangeable less formal softer

Use when the process involves gathering evidence, not only interpreting material already available.

Broader term 6

Analyse 76% connected

Alt. of Analyser

oewn 2023 0% interchangeable

Open English WordNet identifies the related term as a broader lexical category for at least one sense.

Analyze 76% connected

To subject to analysis; to resolve (anything complex) into its elements; to separate into the constituent parts, for the purpose of an examination of…

oewn 2023 0% interchangeable

Open English WordNet identifies the related term as a broader lexical category for at least one sense.

Canvass 76% connected

To sift; to strain; to examine thoroughly; to scrutinize; as, to canvass the votes cast at an election; to canvass a district with reference to its p…

oewn 2023 0% interchangeable

Open English WordNet identifies the related term as a broader lexical category for at least one sense.

Examine 76% connected

To test by any appropriate method; to inspect carefully with a view to discover the real character or state of; to subject to inquiry or inspection o…

oewn 2023 0% interchangeable

Open English WordNet identifies the related term as a broader lexical category for at least one sense.

Probe 76% connected

To examine, as a wound, an ulcer, or some cavity of the body, with a probe.

oewn 2023 0% interchangeable

Open English WordNet identifies the related term as a broader lexical category for at least one sense.

Study 76% connected

A setting of the mind or thoughts upon a subject; hence, application of mind to books, arts, or science, or to any subject, for the purpose of acquir…

oewn 2023 0% interchangeable

Open English WordNet identifies the related term as a broader lexical category for at least one sense.

Manner of action 7

Examine 76% connected

To test by any appropriate method; to inspect carefully with a view to discover the real character or state of; to subject to inquiry or inspection o…

oewn 2023 0% interchangeable

Open English WordNet identifies the related verb as a more specific manner of this action.

Experiment 76% connected

Atrial or special observation, made to confirm or disprove something doubtful; esp., one under conditions determined by the experimenter; an act or o…

oewn 2023 0% interchangeable

Open English WordNet identifies the related verb as a more specific manner of this action.

Explore 76% connected

To seek for or after; to strive to attain by search; to look wisely and carefully for.

oewn 2023 0% interchangeable

Open English WordNet identifies the related verb as a more specific manner of this action.

Probe 76% connected

To examine, as a wound, an ulcer, or some cavity of the body, with a probe.

oewn 2023 0% interchangeable

Open English WordNet identifies the related verb as a more specific manner of this action.

Research 76% connected

Diligent inquiry or examination in seeking facts or principles; laborious or continued search after truth; as, researches of human wisdom.

oewn 2023 0% interchangeable

Open English WordNet identifies the related verb as a more specific manner of this action.

Search 76% connected

To look over or through, for the purpose of finding something; to examine; to explore; as, to search the city.

oewn 2023 0% interchangeable

Open English WordNet identifies the related verb as a more specific manner of this action.

Spy 76% connected

To gain sight of; to discover at a distance, or in a state of concealment; to espy; to see.

oewn 2023 0% interchangeable

Open English WordNet identifies the related verb as a more specific manner of this action.

Derivationally related 8

Enquirer 74% connected

See Inquirer.

oewn 2023 15% interchangeable

Open English WordNet records a derivational relationship between these word forms.

Enquirer 74% connected

See Inquirer.

oewn 2023 15% interchangeable

Open English WordNet records a derivational relationship between these word forms.

Inquiry 74% connected

The act of inquiring; a seeking for information by asking questions; interrogation; a question or questioning.

oewn 2023 15% interchangeable

Open English WordNet records a derivational relationship between these word forms.

Inquiry 74% connected

The act of inquiring; a seeking for information by asking questions; interrogation; a question or questioning.

oewn 2023 15% interchangeable

Open English WordNet records a derivational relationship between these word forms.

Investigation 74% connected

The act of investigating; the process of inquiring into or following up; research; study; inquiry, esp. patient or thorough inquiry or examination; a…

oewn 2023 15% interchangeable

Open English WordNet records a derivational relationship between these word forms.

Investigation 74% connected

The act of investigating; the process of inquiring into or following up; research; study; inquiry, esp. patient or thorough inquiry or examination; a…

oewn 2023 15% interchangeable

Open English WordNet records a derivational relationship between these word forms.

Synonym 2

Enquire 92% connected

See Inquire.

oewn 2023 68% interchangeable

Open English WordNet places these words in at least one shared synset. They share a lexicalised sense, but context, register and collocation should still be checked before substitution.

Inquire 92% connected

To ask a question; to seek for truth or information by putting queries.

oewn 2023 68% interchangeable

Open English WordNet places these words in at least one shared synset. They share a lexicalised sense, but context, register and collocation should still be checked before substitution.

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Words from the same subject

These terms belong to the same specialist field or topic. They help you explore the subject, but they are not automatically synonyms.

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Words connected by meaning

Their definitions overlap or refer to similar ideas. Use these to widen your search, then compare the exact meanings.