inquirer

The term describes someone seeking knowledge or information. In a general context, it is more formal than "someone asking" and suggests a more purposeful or persistent search for answers than a simple "questioner."

In a legal or official context, an inquirer is a person appointed to conduct a formal inquiry or investigation. In this register, it is synonymous with "investigator" or "commissioner," implying authority and a systematic approach to uncovering facts.

While "questioner" often refers to the act of asking in a specific moment (like during an interview), "inquirer" often describes the role or identity of the person throughout a process of discovery.