scrutiny

noun

scru·​ti·​ny ˈskrü-tə-nē How to pronounce scrutiny (audio)
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
That could be because Cuomo has faced intense scrutiny from the other candidates, who have somewhat united against him in several different anti-Cuomo attack ads. Ross O'Keefe, The Washington Examiner, 8 June 2025 The program has drawn scrutiny for years, seen by critics as ways for supervisors to solicit political support by steering millions in public money to recipients of their choosing with no public debate. Maura Fox, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 June 2025 The latest incident has intensified scrutiny of ICE's enforcement tactics and raised concerns about the treatment of community observers and labor leaders during such operations. Emma Marsden, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 June 2025 But those dynamics have been embellished and do not bear much scrutiny at all — Bayern’s teams of that era scored lots of goals and were full of rebellious, counter-culture characters. Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 7 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for scrutiny

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of scrutiny was in 1604

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Cite this Entry

“Scrutiny.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scrutiny. Accessed 12 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

scrutiny

noun
scru·​ti·​ny ˈskrüt-ᵊn-ē How to pronounce scrutiny (audio)
ˈskrüt-nē
plural scrutinies
: a close inspection : examination

Legal Definition

scrutiny

noun
scru·​ti·​ny ˈskrüt-ᵊn-ē How to pronounce scrutiny (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on scrutiny

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