scrutinize

verb

scru·​ti·​nize ˈskrü-tə-ˌnīz 

scrutinized; scrutinizing

transitive verb

: to examine closely and minutely

intransitive verb

: to make a scrutiny

scrutinizer noun

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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.

Synonyms

• audit
• check (out)
• con
• examine
• inspect
• overlook
• oversee
• review
• scan
• survey
• view

Choose the Right Synonym for scrutinize

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 scrutinize in a Sentence

I closely scrutinized my opponent's every move.

Her performance was carefully scrutinized by her employer.

Recent Examples on the Web

Modern presidents have wielded their power to forgive in different ways: Some, like Obama, cast a wider net of clemency while others, like former presidents Trump and Clinton, were scrutinized for cleaning up messes close to home. —Avery Lotz, Axios, 13 July 2024

The response to Covid-19, which first appeared in the U.S. in early 2020, has been scrutinized by numerous case studies, after-action reports, and Congressional fact-finding hearings. —Mario Ramirez, STAT, 11 July 2024

The vote was scrutinized by the Harford County Teachers Association, which wrote a joint letter with two other labor groups to the Board of Education stating the importance of the curriculum and the consequences to come, should students be denied the opportunity to be taught the curriculum. —Matt Hubbard, Baltimore Sun, 11 July 2024

Federal investigators are still scrutinizing the cause of the crash, which halted most trade at the Port of Baltimore and raised questions about whether federal and state authorities are prepared to prevent similar disruptions. —Hau Chu, Washington Post, 11 July 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1671, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

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Kids Definition

scrutinize

verb

scru·​ti·​nize ˈskrüt-ᵊn-ˌīz 

scrutinized; scrutinizing

: to examine very closely : inspect