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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
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

Synonyms & Similar Words
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 story here is about the strange relationships that form in the wake of devastating loss, and an examination of the unpredictable, messy and confusing connections often found between people experiencing grief. — Katie Walsh, Los Angeles Times, 6 Nov. 2026 Once cleaned, the clarity of Michelangelo’s composition allowed for a detailed examination of his brushstrokes. — News Desk, Artforum, 5 Nov. 2026 The proposal followed a 2025 Georgia House study committee's examination of how the state pays for 911 services. — Sergio Candido, CBS News, 4 Nov. 2026 Beyond its adoption areas and dedicated kitten facility, the state-of-the-art building is fully equipped to handle comprehensive feline care, featuring a feline behavior department, examination rooms, and grooming facilities. — Virginia Chamlee, PEOPLE, 4 Nov. 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
  • Old walls that once separated the exam rooms have been ripped down, leaving a large open space.
    — Noelle Alviz-Gransee Updated November 2, Kansas City Star, 2 Nov. 2026
  • Most tutoring services in Santa Monica cover core academic subjects including math, reading, writing, and science, with many also offering test prep for the SAT, ACT, and AP exams.
    — Karen Koehler, Sacbee.com, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of exam
Noun
  • Prior to the plea agreement, the defense attorney had suggested in a court filing that top Justice Department officials had taken improper steps in converting what Yaroch assumed was an administrative investigation into a criminal probe.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 5 Nov. 2026
  • But that investigation could take months, and questions remain about who approved the higher rates and whether the Authority enforced the contract.
    — Julie Watts, CBS News, 5 Nov. 2026
Definition of investigation
Noun
  • Authorities found no threat aboard the aircraft after conducting an inspection of the plane and its passengers, Wizz Air told state news agency MTI.
    — Kirsten Grieshaber, Los Angeles Times, 3 Nov. 2026
  • The agreement capped Iran’s uranium enrichment levels, reduced its operational centrifuge numbers, required Iran to repurpose its nuclear weapons development facilities, and established more rigorous international inspections to verify compliance.
    — S. C. M. Paine, Foreign Affairs, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of inspection
Noun
  • The two tests indicate that Pyongyang is working on dispersal warheads for both tactical ballistic missiles and strategic cruise missiles.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 3 Nov. 2026
  • APIs allow researchers to automate prompts, standardize experiments, collect responses and large volumes of data, as well as test models at scale, making results easier to compare and reproduce.
    — Katie McQue, NPR, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of test
Noun
  • Black asserts that the statements made by Garcia are false and that traveling to appear on national television to make such statements about the inquiry into Epstein’s crimes goes beyond the purview of a member of Congress.
    — Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 5 Nov. 2026
  • But when Congress asked questions, the company ignored our inquiries and refused invitations to testify.
    — Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of inquiry
Noun
  • Tinderholt plans to lower property taxes, fully fund law enforcement, audit county government, grow the county economy and protect election integrity.
    — Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Nov. 2026
  • The Pentagon did recently close its audit of foreign funding sources at Duke, clearing the school of suspicion despite it not terminating a foreign relationship.
    — Jane Winik Sartwell, Charlotte Observer, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of audit
Noun
  • Horticulturist Lili Singer will lead an exploration into the mixing of California native plants and succulents in a garden setting.
    — Pedro Moura, Los Angeles Times, 1 Nov. 2026
  • In the Mediterranean and Middle East, joint projects with institutions in Egypt, Greece, Saudi Arabia, and Tunisia will focus on ancient civilizations, underwater survey equipment, deep-sea exploration, and heritage preservation.
    — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 1 Nov. 2026
Definition of exploration
Noun
  • The same lawmakers seeking to protect Medicaid funding could also intensify scrutiny of insurers, hospitals and drugmakers over prices, coverage and profits.
    — Luke Fountain, CNBC, 2 Nov. 2026
  • Then there’s his mysterious deal for Venezuelan oil, which appears to have been crafted to shield the details from public scrutiny.
    — Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of scrutiny

Phrases Containing examination

Browse Nearby Words

examens
examination
examinations
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Examination.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/examination. Accessed 8 Nov. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on examination

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about examination

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of cockamamie

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Old-Timey Vehicles

The Words of the Week - Nov. 6

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
woman sitting on floor holding book in front of her face on pink background
Famous Novels, Last Lines Quiz Needless to say, spoiler alert.
See All