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
Wexner has previously faced scrutiny over his connections to Epstein, who for years operated with access to Wexner’s properties and served as a close adviser—a relationship Wexner publicly distanced himself from and apologized for in 2019.
—
Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 11 Dec. 2025
OpenAI, which has come under scrutiny for copyright violations – and also for striking massive ‘circular’ deals leading to fears of an AI bubble – said the deal shows how the creative community and AI can get along.
—Hadas Gold, CNN Money, 11 Dec. 2025
The move comes amid increasing scrutiny on Minnesota's Somali community after the exposure of large-scale fraud within it.
—Shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2025
Those strikes have been the subject of intense scrutiny in Congress over their legality.
—Spencer Kimball,eamon Javers, CNBC, 11 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for scrutiny
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Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 11 Dec. 2025
OpenAI, which has come under scrutiny for copyright violations – and also for striking massive ‘circular’ deals leading to fears of an AI bubble – said the deal shows how the creative community and AI can get along.
—Hadas Gold, CNN Money, 11 Dec. 2025
The move comes amid increasing scrutiny on Minnesota's Somali community after the exposure of large-scale fraud within it.
—Shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2025
Those strikes have been the subject of intense scrutiny in Congress over their legality.
—Spencer Kimball,eamon Javers, CNBC, 11 Dec. 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 15 Dec. 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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