Synonyms of scan

scan 1 of 2

verb

ˈskan 

as in to examine

to look over closely (as for judging quality or condition)

scanned the manuscript carefully for any overlooked errors

Synonyms & Similar Words

• examine
• review
• survey
• inspect
• view
• analyze
• watch
• scrutinize
• check (out)
• audit
• oversee
• go over
• study
• explore
• investigate
• con
• notice
• dissect
• peruse
• overlook
• probe
• observe
• research
• comb
• parse
• classify
• categorize
• pore (over)
• delve (into)
• plumb
• reinspect
• pick over
• resurvey
• rereview

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• skim
• miss
• glance (at or over)

scan

2 of 2

noun

as in inspection

a close look at or over someone or something in order to judge condition

gave the car a good scan to see if it was worth buying

Synonyms & Similar Words

• inspection
• examination
• audit
• survey
• scrutiny
• review
• check
• view
• checkup
• analysis
• study
• investigation
• look-see
• research
• probe
• going-over
• dissection
• exploration
• assay
• recheck
• deconstruction
• interrogation
• perusal
• inquisition
• observation
• close-up
• watch
• surveillance
• reinspection
• resurvey
• checkout
• once-over
• trial run
• test-drive

Synonym Chooser

How is the word scan different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of scan are examine, inspect, and scrutinize. While all these words mean "to look at or over," scan implies a surveying from point to point often suggesting a cursory overall observation.

scanned the wine list

When is it sensible to use examine instead of scan?

The words examine and scan can be used in similar contexts, but examine suggests a scrutiny in order to determine the nature, condition, or quality of a thing.

examined the specimens

When would inspect be a good substitute for scan?

The meanings of inspect and scan largely overlap; however, inspect implies scrutinizing for errors or defects.

inspected my credentials

When could scrutinize be used to replace scan?

In some situations, the words scrutinize and scan are roughly equivalent. However, scrutinize stresses close attention to minute detail.

scrutinized the hospital bill

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of scan

Verb

Off the coast of Sicily, Italy, a scuba diver scanned the seafloor for anything that looked man-made or generally just interesting. —Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 18 Apr. 2025

Upon arrival, travelers simply scan a QR code and start their vacation faster. —Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 17 Apr. 2025

Noun

This image provided by the U.S. National Archives shows a scan of a photo of a Japanese Zero fighter plane hitting the USS Missouri in waters off Okinawa, Japan on April 11, 1945. —CBS News, 11 Apr. 2025

The scan shows there is a broken porthole that could account for those reports. —ArsTechnica, 10 Apr. 2025