scrutinize
verb
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Scrutinize This Word's Etymology
Scrutinize the history of scrutinize far back enough and you wind up sifting through trash: the word comes from Latin scrutari, which means "to search, to examine," and scrutari likely comes from scruta, meaning "trash," the etymology evoking one who searches through trash for anything of value. The noun scrutiny preceded scrutinize in English, and in its earliest 15th century use referred to a formal vote, and later to an official examination of votes. Scrutinize was established in the 17th century with its familiar "to examine closely" meaning, but retained reference to voting with the meaning "to examine votes" at least into the 18th century. And while the term scrutineer can be a general term referring to someone who examines something, it is also sometimes used specifically as a term for an election poll watcher.
Examples of scrutinize in a Sentence
Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 21 Apr. 2025
In the Trump administration, even academic journals of medical research are being scrutinized for being too woke.
—Amy Feldman, Forbes.com, 18 Apr. 2025
Comment In the semi-twilight of tech rehearsal at the cavernous Vivian Beaumont Theater at Lincoln Center, Tina Landau is scrutinizing the movement of lanterns.
—Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 18 Apr. 2025
Jeff Marks added: Investors should always scrutinize their positions, especially when the broader market narrative changes.
—Paulina Likos, CNBC, 17 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for scrutinize
Cite this Entry
“Scrutinize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scrutinize. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025.
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scrutinize
verb
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