Inquiry-Query | Commonly Confused Words

Query

/ˈkwɪəri/

A question, especially one expressing doubt or requesting information

"You know?" queried his mother, surprised.He thought about Sweets's query."Lookin for a job?" the other queried.

/ɪnˈkwaɪəri/

A process of asking questions to gather information.

This word has no antonyms

Inquiry often suggests a formal investigation or request for information, whereas query is a general question.
Remember inquiry with in for in-depth, as it implies a deeper investigation.
Query starts with que, like question, which can help you remember it's used for asking questions.
In professional settings, inquiries are often more official than queries.
In less formal contexts, both may be used interchangeably, but their nuances remain.