Spanish Inquisition

proper noun

An extension of the Papal Inquisition, established in 15th-century Spain to investigate and punish converted Jews and Muslims thought to be insincere.

“I agreed to answer a few questions, but I didn't expect the Spanish Inquisition.”

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Meanings

proper noun
  1. historicalAn extension of the Papal Inquisition, established in 15th-century Spain to investigate and punish converted Jews and Muslims thought to be insincere.
  2. figurativelyExcessive questioning or interrogation.

    I agreed to answer a few questions, but I didn't expect the Spanish Inquisition.

Cite this entry
APA

Spanish Inquisition. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Spanish%20Inquisition

MLA

“Spanish Inquisition.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Spanish%20Inquisition. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “Spanish Inquisition,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Spanish%20Inquisition.

Source: Spanish Inquisition on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.