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
In May, the 26-season DWTS vet took to TikTok to address some viewers' tendencies toward scrutiny and name-calling.
—
Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Oct. 2025
The revisions—made just hours after two prosecutors who authored the original filing were placed on administrative leave—have fueled scrutiny over whether the DOJ is exercising routine caution or bending under political pressure.
—Robert Alexander, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2025
As for Ferguson, her own online correspondence with Epstein has also come under recent scrutiny.
—Meredith Kile, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025
While Tesla's Mad Max Mode isn't designed to be outright dangerous, its reintroduction following its original 2018 release is puzzling because of scrutiny on the brand's true semi-autonomous driving capabilities.
—Charles Singh, USA Today, 30 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for scrutiny
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Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Oct. 2025
The revisions—made just hours after two prosecutors who authored the original filing were placed on administrative leave—have fueled scrutiny over whether the DOJ is exercising routine caution or bending under political pressure.
—Robert Alexander, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2025
As for Ferguson, her own online correspondence with Epstein has also come under recent scrutiny.
—Meredith Kile, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025
While Tesla's Mad Max Mode isn't designed to be outright dangerous, its reintroduction following its original 2018 release is puzzling because of scrutiny on the brand's true semi-autonomous driving capabilities.
—Charles Singh, USA Today, 30 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for scrutiny
Cite this Entry
“Scrutiny.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scrutiny. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
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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