EXAMINE Synonyms: 69 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'examine' different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of examine are inspect , scan , and scrutinize . While all these words mean "to look at or over," examine suggests a scrutiny in order to determine the nature, condition, or quality of a thing. // examined the specimens

Q: When would 'inspect' be a good substitute for 'examine'?

The words inspect and examine can be used in similar contexts, but inspect implies scrutinizing for errors or defects. // inspected my credentials

Q: In what contexts can 'scan' take the place of 'examine'?

The meanings of scan and examine largely overlap; however, scan implies a surveying from point to point often suggesting a cursory overall observation. // scanned the wine list

Q: When is 'scrutinize' a more appropriate choice than 'examine'?

Although the words scrutinize and examine have much in common, scrutinize stresses close attention to minute detail. // scrutinized the hospital bill

examine

verb

ig-ˈza-mən

Definition of examine next

as in to interrogate

to put a series of questions to the defense attorney was eager to examine her star witness

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in to inspect

to look over closely (as for judging quality or condition) the customer painstakingly examined the antique piece of furniture from top to bottom before purchasing it

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to explore

to search through or into a groundbreaking study that examined the causes of juvenile delinquency

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word examine different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of examine are inspect, scan, and scrutinize. While all these words mean "to look at or over," examine suggests a scrutiny in order to determine the nature, condition, or quality of a thing.

examined the specimens

When would inspect be a good substitute for examine?

The words inspect and examine can be used in similar contexts, but inspect implies scrutinizing for errors or defects.

inspected my credentials

In what contexts can scan take the place of examine?

The meanings of scan and examine largely overlap; however, scan implies a surveying from point to point often suggesting a cursory overall observation.

scanned the wine list

When is scrutinize a more appropriate choice than examine?

Although the words scrutinize and examine have much in common, scrutinize stresses close attention to minute detail.

scrutinized the hospital bill

Examples of examine in a Sentence

These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Recent Examples on the Web That’s the point at which prospective buyers can examine the team’s financials, jumpstarting their own due diligence. —

Sportico Staff, Sportico.com, 23 Oct. 2024 The researchers specifically examined the thickness of the participants’ endometria. —

Lauryn Higgins, Health, 12 Oct. 2024 Looking inward in their new show (through Oct. 27 in NYC), the Australian comic examines the changes that come with fame since soaring to stardom with Nanette. —

Ew Staff Published, EW.com, 11 Oct. 2024 The film examines the world of South Korea’s all female haenyeo divers, whose centuries-long tradition of harvesting sea life in the waters off Jeju Island is endangered. —

Ronda Racha Penrice, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for examine

Recent Examples of Synonyms for examine

Verb

When their group including Walz arrived at the event, they were interrogated once again about their reasons for attending.

Caroline Frost, Deadline, 27 Oct. 2024
For three hours we were interrogated, one by one, in a small, windowless room.

Clarissa Ward, CNN, 23 Oct. 2024