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
Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 18 Sep. 2025
The couple’s assets, which were scrutinized during the impeachment process, will be a subject of the divorce case.
—Lauren McGaughy, ProPublica, 17 Sep. 2025
Meanwhile, the image of Epstein being projected onto Windsor Castle is also uncomfortable for King Charles’ younger brother, Prince Andrew, who backed away from royal life after his connection with Epstein was scrutinized.
—Gabrielle Rockson, PEOPLE, 17 Sep. 2025
Looking at Via Lactea (the Milky Way's Latin name) with a telescope — except to view certain highlights — is akin to closely scrutinizing a painting with a magnifying glass, which only reveals the coarse canvas, and not the actual art itself.
—Joe Rao, Space.com, 17 Sep. 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 18 Sep. 2025.
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scrutinize
verb
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