scrutiny

play

noun scru·ti·ny \ˈskrü-tə-nē, ˈskrüt-nē\

Definition of scrutiny

plural

scrutinies

1 : a searching study, inquiry, or inspection : examination
2 : a searching look
3 : close watch : surveillance

See scrutiny defined for English-language learners

See scrutiny defined for kids

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 of scrutiny from the Web

The bank now faces scrutiny over an even uglier episode.

— The Economist, "A long reckoningBNP Paribas faces accusations over the Rwandan genocide", 5 July 2017
That effort led to an FBI focus on Paul Manafort, the Trump campaign chairman who did political consulting work on behalf of Yanukovych's pro-Russia political party and who remains under scrutiny now.

— eric tucker, chicagotribune.com, "Mueller probe could draw focus to Russian crime operations", 4 July 2017
Kylie's relationship with Travis Scott has only recently become a source of public scrutiny.

— alyssa hardy, Teen Vogue, "Kylie Jenner and Travis Scott Spark Engagement Rumors With Matching Diamond Rings", 29 June 2017
Leary’s past is now under scrutiny after Miami-Dade police this week said the 50-year-old seduced one teenage exchange student from Spain named Marta San Jose, then divorced his wife to marry her.

— david ovalle and david j. neal, miamiherald, "Exchange student helped husband lure underage sister to Miami and molest her, cops say", 28 June 2017
At the center of the debate over the future of the $3 trillion U.S. health care system, which comprises approximately one-sixth of the economy, is a fundamental ideological divide that is finally facing public scrutiny.

— vanityfair.com, "The G.O.P.’s Big Health-Care Lie Is Finally Exposed", 24 June 2017
Increased regulatory scrutiny over the borrowings of China’s most prolific overseas deal makers weighed on mainland markets Friday, as trading elsewhere in the Asia-Pacific region was lackluster.

— kenan machado, WSJ, "Global Markets: China Stocks Fall as Deal Makers’ Borrowing Probed", 22 June 2017
As with many ludicrous double standards in Hollywood — and in society as a whole — actresses’ careers are consistently plagued by conversations concerning their bodies, whereas their male counterparts rarely face such scrutiny.

— ethan sapienza, The Cut, "Gabourey Sidibe: ‘Don’t Congratulate Me’ for Losing Weight", 21 June 2017
But the story ignited additional news coverage and scrutiny from the board of trustees and other entities that ultimately led to Ramsey's forced resignation in 2016 and the revamping of the foundation.

— andrew wolfson, The Courier-Journal, "Bright spot in audit: One University of Louisville official asked if she was being paid too much", 20 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'scrutiny'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of scrutiny

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

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First Known Use: 1604

See Words from the same year

SCRUTINY Defined for English Language Learners

scrutiny

play

noun

Definition of scrutiny for English Language Learners

: the act of carefully examining something especially in a critical way : the act of scrutinizing something

SCRUTINY Defined for Kids

scrutiny

play

noun scru·ti·ny \ˈskrü-tə-nē, ˈskrüt-nē\

Definition of scrutiny for Students

: a close inspection

Law Dictionary

scrutiny

play

noun scru·ti·ny \ˈskrüt-^ən-ē\

Legal Definition of scrutiny

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 2, strict scrutiny — compare rational basis test