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

Synonyms of scrutiny

• inspection
• examination
• audit
• survey

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

As investors navigate a landscape shaped by economic uncertainty, rising scrutiny, and tough competition for standout startups, decoding what ‘investment-readiness’ truly means has become as critical as the funding itself for founders hoping to raise capital. —Alison Coleman, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 2026

This latest act of historical erasure comes amid heightened scrutiny of slavery’s place in Washington’s legacy in recent years. —John Garrison Marks, Time, 23 Jan. 2026

Determining whether that future makes sense for New York City demands careful scrutiny. —Sara Lind, New York Daily News, 23 Jan. 2026

Oklahoma’s lax civil asset forfeiture laws have drawn scrutiny for decades. —Keaton Ross, Oklahoma Watch, 23 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1604, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing scrutiny

• self-scrutiny
• under scrutiny

Rhymes for scrutiny

• mutiny

Kids 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