scrutiny
noun
scru·ti·ny
ˈskrü-tə-nē 
ˈskrüt-nē
plural scrutinies
1
: a searching study, inquiry, or inspection : examination
2
: a searching look
3
: close watch : surveillance
Examples of scrutiny in a Sentence
the close scrutiny of data
I'd never faced that kind of scrutiny before.
Because of their past crimes, everything they do now will be subject to scrutiny.
Her opinion is based on a careful scrutiny of the text.
Recent Examples on the Web
Morey’s tenure included acquiring and later trading James Harden, as well as drafting and then dealing Jared McCain at the February trade deadline — a move that drew scrutiny.
—
Tony Jones, New York Times, 13 May 2026
Hamilton may face Senate scrutiny over his lack of experience leading an emergency management agency, though his defense of FEMA’s federal role has earned respect among disaster management professionals.
—Gabriela Aoun Angueira, Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2026
Since 2016, whether by executive orders or by state laws, what can or cannot be taught in the nation’s classrooms has been increasingly subject to scrutiny, censorship, intimidation, and even threats of violence.
—Jill Lepore, New Yorker, 12 May 2026
Instead, after outcry over the lack of public scrutiny, commissioners delayed their decision by 90 days.
—Richard Stradling, Charlotte Observer, 12 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for scrutiny
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Tony Jones, New York Times, 13 May 2026
Hamilton may face Senate scrutiny over his lack of experience leading an emergency management agency, though his defense of FEMA’s federal role has earned respect among disaster management professionals.
—Gabriela Aoun Angueira, Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2026
Since 2016, whether by executive orders or by state laws, what can or cannot be taught in the nation’s classrooms has been increasingly subject to scrutiny, censorship, intimidation, and even threats of violence.
—Jill Lepore, New Yorker, 12 May 2026
Instead, after outcry over the lack of public scrutiny, commissioners delayed their decision by 90 days.
—Richard Stradling, Charlotte Observer, 12 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for scrutiny
Cite this Entry
“Scrutiny.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scrutiny. Accessed 13 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
scrutiny
noun
scru·ti·ny
ˈskrüt-ᵊn-ē
ˈskrüt-nē
plural scrutinies
: a close inspection : examination
Legal Definition
scrutiny
noun
scru·ti·ny
ˈskrüt-ᵊn-ē
plural scrutinies
: searching study or inquiry
specifically
: judicial investigation of the constitutionality of a statutory classification of persons under the equal protection clause of the U.S. Constitution see also intermediate sense 2, strict scrutiny compare rational basis test
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