Word forms: 3rd person singular presenttense debriefs, present participle debriefing, past tense, past participle debriefed
verb
When someone such as a soldier, diplomat, or astronaut is debriefed, they are asked to give a report on an operation or task that they have just completed.
The men have been debriefed by British and Saudi officials. [beVERB-ed]
He went to Rio after the CIA had debriefed him. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: interrogate, question, examine, probe More Synonyms of debrief
debrief in British English
(diːˈbriːf)
verb
(of a soldier, astronaut, diplomat, etc) to make or (of his or her superiors) to elicit a report after a mission or event
Compare brief (sense 13)
Derived forms
debriefing (deˈbriefing)
noun
debrief in American English
(diˈbrif)
verb transitive
to receive information from (a pilot, emissary, etc.) concerning a flight or mission just completed and, often, to instruct as to restrictions in making this information public
Derived forms
debriefing (deˈbriefing)
noun
Word origin
de- + brief
Examples of 'debrief' in a sentence
debrief
We'll need to have a proper debrief, but that can wait for morning.
Val McDermid THE LAST TEMPTATION (2002)
Half an hour later, I was back in the office, ready to debrief Bill.
Val McDermid KICK BACK (2002)
We had a brief ` debrief brunch ' back at Danilo's, where he filled me in on the `key learnings' garnered from his round of investigations.
Edward Docx THE CALLIGRAPHER (2002)
Animal was telling me about how you film every practice, then debrief.
James W. Huston THE SHADOWS OF POWER (2002)
(verb)
Definition
to interrogate (a soldier, diplomat, astronaut, etc.) on the completion of a mission
The men have been debriefed by officials.
Synonyms
interrogate
I interrogated everyone who was even slightly involved.
question
A man is being questioned by police.
examine
I was called and examined as a witness.
probe
A doctor probed deep in his shoulder wound for shrapnel.
quiz
Detectives quizzed them for four hours before they were released.
cross-examine
The accused's lawyers will get a chance to cross-examine him.
Additional synonyms
in the sense of cross-examine
Definition
to question closely or relentlessly
The accused's lawyers will get a chance to cross-examine him.
Synonyms
question,
grill (informal),
quiz,
interrogate,
catechize,
pump
in the sense of examine
Definition
to formally question someone on oath
I was called and examined as a witness.
Synonyms
question,
quiz,
interrogate,
cross-examine,
grill (informal),
give the third degree to (informal)
in the sense of probe
Definition
to poke or examine (something) with or as if with a probe
A doctor probed deep in his shoulder wound for shrapnel.