inspect

verb

in·​spect in-ˈspekt 

inspected; inspecting; inspects

transitive verb

1

: to view closely in critical appraisal : look over

2

: to examine officially

inspects the barracks every Friday

intransitive verb

: to make an inspection

inspective

in-ˈspek-tiv 

adjective

Synonyms of inspect

• examine
• scan
• review
• survey

Choose the Right Synonym for inspect

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 inspect in a Sentence

She had the car inspected by a mechanic before she bought it.

The candles are inspected for damage before being packaged.

After the storm, we went outside to inspect the damage.

He inspected the soldiers' barracks.

inspecting a restaurant for health code violations

Recent Examples on the Web

The agency also plans to use the closure to perform other improvements, including modernizing signals, inspecting tunnels, and brightening stations, as well as continuing to work on the Green Line Train Protection System, which is meant to prevent head-on collisions between cars on the tracks. —Colleen Cronin, Boston Herald, 24 Nov. 2025

And finally, if possible, try and get a good look at your cashmere choice in person to check for any pills, test out its touch and feel, and inspect for any loose threads in the stitching. —Kristina Rutkowski, Vogue, 24 Nov. 2025

Cates said that means China is inspecting its spacecraft before using them to return astronauts from Tiangong. —Leonard David, Space.com, 22 Nov. 2025

Vessels that cannot be banded, such as car-top boats, kayaks and canoes, will be inspected and cleared prior to launch at Camanche, San Pablo, Lafayette and Chabot reservoirs. —Bay City News Service, Mercury News, 22 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin inspectus, past participle of inspicere, from in- + specere to look — more at spy

First Known Use

circa 1623, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for inspect

• affect
• aspect
• bedecked
• bisect
• collect
• connect
• correct
• deflect
• detect
• direct
• dissect
• effect

Kids Definition

inspect

verb

in·​spect in-ˈspekt 

1

: to examine closely (as for judging quality or condition)

inspect meat

2

: to view and examine officially

inspect the troops

Legal Definition

inspect

transitive verb

in·​spect

1

: to view closely and critically

2

: to examine officially

inspect the facility for code violations

intransitive verb

: to make an inspection