examination

noun

ig-ˌza-mə-ˈnā-shən How to pronounce examination (audio)
Definition of examinationnext
1
as in exam
a set of questions or problems designed to assess knowledge, skills, or intelligence applicants to the prep school are required to take a demanding examination

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2
as in investigation
a systematic search for the truth or facts about something an examination into the extent and causes of juvenile delinquency in the community

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3
as in inspection
a close look at or over someone or something in order to judge condition even a hasty examination will tell any jeweler that that is not a real diamond

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of examination The challenge was an oral examination, where the students answered questions in a game show format. — Arthur Jones Ii, ABC News, 2 July 2026 Recorded throughout the book tour for On Morrison—Serpell’s electrifying, critical examination of Morrison’s writing—each episode welcomes listeners into rooms full of readers and discussions of how Morrison made her words sing. — Literary Hub, 2 July 2026 The latter point is frequently overlooked in today’s discussion but is worthy of closer examination. — Michael P. Dempsey, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026 While the remains were found following the investigation into Bradley's disappearance, official identification and the cause of death are pending an examination by the Pierce County Medical Examiner’s Office. — Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 1 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for examination
Recent Examples of Synonyms for examination
  1. exam
  2. investigation
  3. inspection
  4. test
  5. inquiry
  6. audit
  7. exploration
  8. scrutiny
Noun
  • Over that period, affiliates dispensed about 25% fewer packs of birth control pills and conducted about 20% fewer breast cancer exams than the previous year.
    — Geoff Mulvihill, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026
  • Former Dallas Cowboys defensive end Marshawn Kneeland was found to have stage 1 of the degenerative brain disease CTE after a posthumous exam by Boston University researchers.
    — Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 July 2026
Definition of exam
Noun
  • The agency has required the building’s owner to hire a third-party engineer to conduct a forensic evaluation — a formal investigation to determine the cause of the structural failure.
    — Emma Tucker, CNN Money, 9 July 2026
  • There were 267 investigations opened by California wildlife officials into wolf-livestock predation in 2025, up from 74 the previous year.
    — Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026
Definition of investigation
Noun
  • Get regular brake, tire and filter inspections Brakes, tires and filter frequently wear down and need to be replaced.
    — Keith Laing, USA Today, 8 July 2026
  • Rollins has pushed back on criticism that staff cuts and ongoing plans to relocate much of the agency away from its Washington, DC-area headquarters could have impacted inspections.
    — Bloomberg, Mercury News, 7 July 2026
Definition of inspection
Noun
  • Stoking fears The test also reflected Beijing's determination to project power over its neighbors, analysts said, despite the scrutiny and alarm from regional powers such exercises almost immediately set off.
    — Anniek Bao, CNBC, 8 July 2026
  • Shockingly, the letter seems to be pushing for a return to standardized tests by, in effect, arguing that a growing percentage of their students are simply too stupid to succeed, no matter what professors do.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026
Definition of test
Noun
  • On Wednesday morning, the NCAA sent a letter of inquiry to Cincinnati centered on Sorsby and his time with the program.
    — Cal Phillips July 8, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 July 2026
  • These collective actions are crucial to safeguard scholarly inquiry and faculty independence against political interference.
    — Michael T. Nietzel, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026
Definition of inquiry
Noun
  • Since the audit tool was introduced, multiple departments have announced arrests of officers across the state, signaling a level of misuse that may have previously gone undetected.
    — Taylor Croft, AJC.com, 9 July 2026
  • Of that dataset, there were 33 public comment letters, of which Zach classified them as submitted by an individual in an active corporate role, such as CFO, audit chair, financial reporting manager, COO, or CTO.
    — Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 8 July 2026
Definition of audit
Noun
  • In terms of threading the needle between the experimentation and playing Lestat does before landing on a style that’s uniquely his, Lestat’s preference for musical exploration is akin to Hart’s own.
    — Sabrina Reed, Forbes.com, 6 July 2026
  • Well, the nation came of age industrially after the Wright brothers' historic flight and has been a leader in aerospace tech and exploration ever since.
    — Mike Wall, Space.com, 4 July 2026
Definition of exploration
Noun
  • Stoking fears The test also reflected Beijing's determination to project power over its neighbors, analysts said, despite the scrutiny and alarm from regional powers such exercises almost immediately set off.
    — Anniek Bao, CNBC, 8 July 2026
  • Listing forces audited disclosure, invites analyst scrutiny, and gives other shareholders standing to object when the state overreaches.
    — James Broughel, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026
Definition of scrutiny

Phrases Containing examination

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Cite this Entry

“Examination.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/examination. Accessed 11 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on examination

Nglish: Translation of examination for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about examination

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