Standard Lemma guide

inquisitorial

adj · 6 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • Received-Pronunciation: /ɪnˌkwɪzɪˈtɔːɹiəl/
  • General-American: /ɪnˌkwɪzəˈtɔɹiəl/
  • rhymes with -ɔːɹiəl

1

adj

Meaning 1

Of or pertaining to an inquisition, specifically the Inquisition.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

adj

Meaning 2

In a manner of inquisition or inquisitors.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

adj

Meaning 3

Describing a trial system in which the prosecutor also acts as judge.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Topics: law

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

4

adjective

Meaning 4

especially indicating a form of prosecution in which proceedings are secret and the accused is questioned by a prosecutor who acts also as the judge

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: accusatorial

5

adjective satellite

Meaning 5

having the authority to conduct official investigations

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • the inquisitorial power of the Senate

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

6

adjective satellite

Meaning 6

marked by inquisitive interest; especially suggestive of an ecclesiastical inquisitor- Waldo Frank

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • the press was inquisitorial to the point of antagonism
  • a practical police force with true inquisitorial talents

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

Etymology tree English inquisitory Proto-Indo-European *h2el-der.? Proto-Italic *-ālis Latin -ālisder. Old French -ialder. Middle English -ial English -ial English inquisitorial From inquisitory + -ial.

Across languages

Translations

11 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Catalan: inquisitorial — Of or pertaining to an inquisition
  • French: inquisitorial — Of or pertaining to an inquisition
  • Manx: ard-eyshtagh — Of or pertaining to an inquisition
  • Portuguese: inquisitivo — Of or pertaining to an inquisition
  • Romanian: inchizitorial — Of or pertaining to an inquisition
  • Spanish: inquisitorial — Of or pertaining to an inquisition
  • Swedish: inkvisitorisk — Of or pertaining to an inquisition
  • Chinese Mandarin: 糾問制 /纠问制 (jiūwènzhì) — describing a trial system in which the prosecutor also acts as judge
  • Chinese Mandarin: 職權主義 /职权主义 (zhíquánzhǔyì) — describing a trial system in which the prosecutor also acts as judge
  • Finnish: inkvisitorinen — describing a trial system in which the prosecutor also acts as judge
  • Swedish: inkvisitorisk — describing a trial system in which the prosecutor also acts as judge