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

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 examine Plastic is so ubiquitous that researchers, wanting to examine the effect of plastics on the human body, are struggling to find all-natural individuals to use as controls in studies. Annie Lowrey, The Atlantic, 7 July 2025 But along the way the panelists also decided to expand the voting franchise and examined nonpartisan elections and moving our local elections to presidential years to boost turnout. New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 7 July 2025 Gi-hun examines Jun-hee’s swollen ankle, which seems impossible to jump on. Jennifer Zhan, Vulture, 27 June 2025 The Congress must thoroughly examine this decision by the Supreme Court to find ways to legislate and protect the Constitutional right to citizenship for all those born in America. Barnini Chakraborty, The Washington Examiner, 27 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for examine
Recent Examples of Synonyms for examine
Verb
  • To really interrogate love today, the band went back in time to examine these concepts over the generations.
    Julyssa Lopez, Rolling Stone, 22 June 2025
  • Their new works, spanning sculpture, installation, and mixed media, use architectural motifs as both metaphor and material, interrogating how personal and political histories are built—and unbuilt.
    Lee Sharrock, Forbes.com, 22 June 2025
Verb
  • As the fireline is constructed, inspected or reinforced, mappers record those details to adjust the containment percentage.
    CA WILDFIRE BOT, Sacbee.com, 5 July 2025
  • If a firework fails to ignite, don’t stand over the firework to inspect it or try to reignite it.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 5 July 2025
Verb
  • The conversation will explore the urgent role of politics in this moment, the impact of federal policy on everyday lives, and how state leadership can be a catalyst for closing the racial wealth gap, expanding opportunity, and protecting our freedoms.
    Essence, Essence, 7 July 2025
  • There is still not enough data exploring how these dyes can affect people, but researchers are exploring potential links between them and hyperactivity and neurobehavioral issues in children.
    Alice Park, Time, 7 July 2025
Verb
  • Interest Rates: While speaking at an event in Portugal Tuesday, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell was questioned about the timing of an interest rate cut.
    Catherine Brock, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
  • The network of community leaders and officials all questioned the administration’s determination that Haiti is now safe enough for people to return.
    Churchill Ndonwie, Miami Herald, 1 July 2025
Verb
  • The creation of this content included the use of AI based on templates created, reviewed and edited by journalists in the newsroom.
    CA WILDFIRE BOT, Sacbee.com, 8 July 2025
  • But some reviewed by Ars got tens of thousands of views, as screenshots bled over to other social media platforms.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 8 July 2025
Verb
  • Though there’s been plenty of research on the most effective training frequency and set volume, few studies have investigated how people should actually divide up their activity into different workouts, said lead study author Jacob Remmert, a PhD candidate at Florida Atlantic University.
    Brian Mastroianni, Health, 9 July 2025
  • Editor’s Note: Examining clothes through the ages, Dress Codes investigates how the rules of fashion have influenced different cultural arenas — and your closet. CNN — Pristine, crisp and all-white — tennis whites have been a tradition dating back centuries.
    Jacqui Palumbo, CNN Money, 9 July 2025
Verb
  • Ruff scanned and rescanned his ticket in disbelief.
    Rachel Raposas, People.com, 11 July 2025
  • Just scan your bar cart for an interesting bottle, crack a can of tonic, and apéro hour is yours.
    Amiel Stanek, Bon Appetit Magazine, 11 July 2025
Verb
  • In New Mexico, stories and survey data from participating youth helped make the case to legislators that the state should grow and sustain the program with state funds.
    Linda Darling-Hammond, Forbes.com, 2 July 2025
  • Five years ago, 33% of companies surveyed used all three, compared to just 22% today.
    Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 1 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Examine.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/examine. Accessed 15 Jul. 2025.

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