scrutiny

noun

scru·​ti·​ny ˈskrü-tə-nē How to pronounce scrutiny (audio)
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
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.
Criminal defense attorney Christopher Parente pointed to the messages as an indication Exum understood the high public scrutiny of the case and would have recognized the potential evidentiary value of this vehicle. Omar Jimenez, CNN Money, 6 Nov. 2025 The tactic, which Trump’s first-term EPA head, Scott Pruitt, sought to end during his tenure, allows policy to be set without the scrutiny of the typical rule-making process. Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 6 Nov. 2025 Andrew Bean, a researcher at the Oxford Internet Institute and another lead author of the study, concurred that even reputable benchmarks are too often blindly trusted and deserve more scrutiny. Jared Perlo, NBC news, 6 Nov. 2025 The public pressure for such, as well as scrutiny and intense media interest, will not abate. Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa, FOXNews.com, 5 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for scrutiny

Word History

Etymology

Latin scrutinium, from scrutari to search, examine, probably from scruta trash

First Known Use

1604, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of scrutiny was in 1604

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Cite this Entry

“Scrutiny.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scrutiny. Accessed 12 Nov. 2025.

Kids Definition

scrutiny

noun
scru·​ti·​ny ˈskrüt-ᵊn-ē How to pronounce scrutiny (audio)
ˈskrüt-nē
plural scrutinies
: a close inspection : examination

Legal Definition

scrutiny

noun
scru·​ti·​ny ˈskrüt-ᵊn-ē How to pronounce scrutiny (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on scrutiny

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