examine

verb

ex·​am·​ine ig-ˈza-mən 

examined; examining ig-ˈza-mə-niŋ 

-ˈzam-niŋ

transitive verb

1

a

: to inspect closely

b

: to test the condition of

c

: to inquire into carefully : investigate

2

a

: to interrogate closely

examine a prisoner

b

: to test by questioning in order to determine progress, fitness, or knowledge

intransitive verb

: to make or give an examination

examinable

ig-ˈza-mə-nə-bəl 

adjective

examiner

ig-ˈza-mə-nər 

-ˈzam-nər

noun

Synonyms

• catechize
• grill
• interrogate
• pump
• query
• question
• quiz
• sweat [slang]

Choose the Right Synonym for examine

scrutinize, scan, inspect, examine mean to look at or over.

scrutinize stresses close attention to minute detail.

scrutinized the hospital bill

scan implies a surveying from point to point often suggesting a cursory overall observation.

scanned the wine list

inspect implies scrutinizing for errors or defects.

inspected my credentials

examine suggests a scrutiny in order to determine the nature, condition, or quality of a thing.

examined the specimens

Examples of examine in a Sentence

An accountant has been hired to examine the company's books.

The police examined the evidence carefully.

You should have your eyes examined.

He was examined by several doctors, who found nothing wrong with him.

Recent Examples on the Web

According to the discharge notice, the county’s internal investigators began examining Kwong’s relationship with Zimmer Biomet after a complaint in 2021. —Rebecca Ellis, Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2024

As the draft approaches April 25-27, the Miami Herald examines the Dolphins’ tight end options. —Daniel Oyefusi, Miami Herald, 19 Apr. 2024

Along the way, her story examines historical realities around gender, addiction, mental health and celebrity. —Ross Raihala, Twin Cities, 18 Apr. 2024

Tense, disturbing, riveting, Alex Garland’s dystopian film Civil War examines an existential threat preying on the American sub-conscious: What would happen if the political and social divisions cleaving the United States ultimately collapse the nation into the abyss? —Eisa Nefertari Ulen, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 Apr. 2024

While most deals examined under the EU’s merger regulation are eventually approved by Brussels watchdogs, officials are unafraid of wielding a veto if any competition concerns can’t be fixed within strict deadlines. —Samuel Stolton, Fortune Europe, 18 Apr. 2024

The reporters examined campaign contributions and government contracts for this article, part of a series about loopholes in Hawaii’s pay-to-play laws, for The Times’s Local Investigations Fellowship. April 17, 2024, 5:01 a.m. —Irene Casado Sanchez, New York Times, 17 Apr. 2024

The report examines changes in the city's housing values from 2014 to 2022, following Detroit's bankruptcy. —Nushrat Rahman, Detroit Free Press, 17 Apr. 2024

This is the web version of The Trust Factor, a weekly newsletter examining what leaders need to succeed. —Nick Rockel, Fortune, 5 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French examiner, from Latin examinare, from examen

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Phrases Containing examine

• re-examine

Kids Definition

examine

verb

ex·​am·​ine ig-ˈzam-ən 

examined; examining

1

: to look at or check carefully

examine a company's books

have your eyes examined

2

: to question closely

examine a witness

examiner noun

Medical Definition

examine

verb

ex·​am·​ine ig-ˈzam-ən 

examined; examining -(ə-)niŋ 

transitive verb

: to inspect or test for evidence of disease or abnormality

the doctor examined the young men and found them in perfect health

intransitive verb

: to make or give an examination

the doctor will examine at the infirmary

Legal Definition

examine

transitive verb

ex·​am·​ine

examined; examining

1

: to investigate or inspect closely

examine the title

compare audit

2

: to question closely especially in a court proceeding compare depose