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
Howell’s resignation came amid scrutiny triggered not only by the FBI’s investigation into financial misconduct involving OneTeam Partners — the licensing entity co-owned by the NFLPA and MLBPA — but also by concerns over a conflict of interest.
—
Mike Jones, New York Times, 28 Feb. 2026
Friday's designation also lands against the backdrop of high-profile detention cases that have intensified scrutiny of Iran's practices.
—Camilla Schick, CBS News, 27 Feb. 2026
Netflix has countered that a deal of this size is going to be subject to the same amount of regulatory scrutiny either way.
—Brian Welk, IndieWire, 27 Feb. 2026
Paramount’s financing has also come under scrutiny, as several Middle Eastern sovereign wealth funds are attached to the deal.
—Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 27 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for scrutiny
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Mike Jones, New York Times, 28 Feb. 2026
Friday's designation also lands against the backdrop of high-profile detention cases that have intensified scrutiny of Iran's practices.
—Camilla Schick, CBS News, 27 Feb. 2026
Netflix has countered that a deal of this size is going to be subject to the same amount of regulatory scrutiny either way.
—Brian Welk, IndieWire, 27 Feb. 2026
Paramount’s financing has also come under scrutiny, as several Middle Eastern sovereign wealth funds are attached to the deal.
—Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 27 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for scrutiny
Cite this Entry
“Scrutiny.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scrutiny. Accessed 6 Mar. 2026.
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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