scrutiny
noun
scru·ti·ny
ˈskrü-tə-nē 
ˈskrüt-nē
plural scrutinies
1
: a searching study, inquiry, or inspection : examination
2
: a searching look
3
: close watch : surveillance
Examples of scrutiny in a Sentence
the close scrutiny of data
I'd never faced that kind of scrutiny before.
Because of their past crimes, everything they do now will be subject to scrutiny.
Her opinion is based on a careful scrutiny of the text.
Recent Examples on the Web
The matter is among a number of special prosecutor appointments that have come under scrutiny as defense attorneys raise concerns about the potentially lucrative arrangements, including in a case that was reviewed by the Illinois Supreme Court last year.
—
Chicago Tribune, 21 Apr. 2026
The decades-old system has been under scrutiny by lawmakers, aviation officials and the public after a series of crashes and other high-profile incidents, spotlighting the stress controllers are under.
—Alexandra Skores, CNN Money, 21 Apr. 2026
Gorka’s qualifications for the job also came under scrutiny.
—Hannah Allam, ProPublica, 21 Apr. 2026
In the 1990s, the city of Carrollton came under scrutiny after killing and injuring birds in a rookery.
—Emily Holshouser, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for scrutiny
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Chicago Tribune, 21 Apr. 2026
The decades-old system has been under scrutiny by lawmakers, aviation officials and the public after a series of crashes and other high-profile incidents, spotlighting the stress controllers are under.
—Alexandra Skores, CNN Money, 21 Apr. 2026
Gorka’s qualifications for the job also came under scrutiny.
—Hannah Allam, ProPublica, 21 Apr. 2026
In the 1990s, the city of Carrollton came under scrutiny after killing and injuring birds in a rookery.
—Emily Holshouser, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for scrutiny
Cite this Entry
“Scrutiny.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scrutiny. Accessed 23 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
scrutiny
noun
scru·ti·ny
ˈskrüt-ᵊn-ē
ˈskrüt-nē
plural scrutinies
: a close inspection : examination
Legal Definition
scrutiny
noun
scru·ti·ny
ˈskrüt-ᵊn-ē
plural scrutinies
: searching study or inquiry
specifically
: judicial investigation of the constitutionality of a statutory classification of persons under the equal protection clause of the U.S. Constitution see also intermediate sense 2, strict scrutiny compare rational basis test
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