Question

inquisition The President's first choice for the job turned him down, fearing the Senate hearings would turn into an inquisition into her past. ˌɪnkwəˈzɪʃən

Accepted Answer

A questioning or examining that is often harsh or severe. While an inquiry can be almost any search for truth, the related word inquisition suggests a long, thorough investigation that involves extensive and harsh questioning. Though the two words originally had about the same meaning, today inquisition tends to remind us of the Spanish Inquisition, an ongoing trial conducted by church-appointed inquisitors that began in the Middle Ages and sought out nonbelievers, Jews, and Muslims, thousands of whom were sentenced to torture and to burning at the stake.

word	inquisition
definition	A questioning or examining that is often harsh or severe.
eg_sentence	The President's first choice for the job turned him down, fearing the Senate hearings would turn into an inquisition into her past.
explanation	While an inquiry can be almost any search for truth, the related word inquisition suggests a long, thorough investigation that involves extensive and harsh questioning. Though the two words originally had about the same meaning, today inquisition tends to remind us of the Spanish Inquisition, an ongoing trial conducted by church-appointed inquisitors that began in the Middle Ages and sought out nonbelievers, Jews, and Muslims, thousands of whom were sentenced to torture and to burning at the stake.
IPA	ˌɪnkwəˈzɪʃən

Inquisition Harsh Questioning Examining Severe President's Choice Job