inspector general

noun

|Updated on: 5 Jun 2018

Definition of inspector general

: a person who heads an inspectorate or a system of inspection (as of an army)

See inspector general defined for English-language learners

Recent Examples of inspector general from the Web

Horowitz was appointed to the inspector general’s job in 2012 by President Obama.

— matt zapotosky, Washington Post, "As Justice Dept. inspector general moves from Clinton email to Russia and Trump, he risks becoming a political weapon," 1 June 2018
The report mentioned the inspector general's probe into alleged cheating on the August 2015 lieutenants exam.

— jeremy gorner, chicagotribune.com, "Chicago police lieutenant, married to top cop, files discrimination complaint against CPD," 31 May 2018
McCaskill’s letter to the Health and Human Services inspector general said questionable billings started occurring at Putnam County Memorial shortly after Hospital Partners took over day-to-day management of the hospital.

— steve vockrodt, kansascity, "McCaskill calls for federal probe of $90 million billing scheme at Missouri hospital | The Kansas City Star," 24 May 2018
Still, Ciara Torres-Spelliscy, a professor at Stetson University's College of Law, said Trump's decision to direct an inspector general's probe toward those who investigated him in the first place is new territory.

— NBC News, "Trump weaponizes 'deep state' to investigate his investigators," 22 May 2018
The inspector general's investigation substantiated most of the whistleblowers' complaints.

— ted sickinger, OregonLive.com, "Enviros squabble over governor's nominee to Environmental Quality Commission," 21 May 2018
Taxpayers who receive harassing phone calls from people claiming to be from the IRS are told to report the incidents to the treasury inspector general for tax administration at the IRS Impersonation Scam Reporting site.

— susan tompor, Detroit Free Press, "The fake tax forms thieves are using to trick us," 11 May 2018
McCabe’s dismissal came after a report from the Department of Justice inspector general that found McCabe was not candid about his interactions with reporters.

— emily stewart, Vox, "The very long list of high-profile White House departures," 11 May 2018
McCabe has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing, but is now ensnarled in a criminal investigation by the US Attorney's office in DC based on the inspector general's findings -- a searing reminder of the gravity of the office's powers.

— laura jarrett, CNN, "DOJ Inspector General report on FBI handling of Clinton email probe entering final stages," 16 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'inspector general.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.