Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of examine are inspect, scan, and scrutinize. While all these words mean "to look at or over," 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 examine?

The words inspect and examine can be used in similar contexts, but inspect implies scrutinizing for errors or defects.

inspected my credentials

In what contexts can scan take the place of examine?

The meanings of scan and examine largely overlap; however, scan implies a surveying from point to point often suggesting a cursory overall observation.

scanned the wine list

When is scrutinize a more appropriate choice than examine?

Although the words scrutinize and examine have much in common, scrutinize stresses close attention to minute detail.

scrutinized the hospital bill

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of examine Last month, the Baltimore City Council hosted an oversight hearing to examine the culture and workplace safety of our Department of Public Works (DPW). Zac Blanchard, Baltimore Sun, 28 Apr. 2025 He's been covering style, grooming and watches for over a decade, traveling across the world to examine how these topics intersect with the broader… Read More Read More On: Audemars Piguet Rolex Watch Collector Like this article? Justin Fenner, Robb Report, 25 Apr. 2025 While OpenAI's newly released 03 and o4-mini-high were not examined for this study, benchmarks at the researchers' MathArena website show o3-high scoring 21.73 percent overall and o4-mini-high scoring 19.05 percent overall on USAMO. ArsTechnica, 25 Apr. 2025 Investigators also examined two exemplar helicopters, according to the statement. Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 13 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for examine
Recent Examples of Synonyms for examine
Verb
  • That theoretical episode would probably interrogate our obsession with watching people hurt and humiliate themselves online, but that theme has very little to do with the rest of the episode.
    Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 10 Apr. 2025
  • The history museums that were once a feature of many Soviet cities did not interrogate the life of Lenin.
    David Remnick, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • According to the report compiled by the Star-Telegram, 387 restaurants were inspected between March 30 and April 12.
    Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Apr. 2025
  • Image While inspecting a villa in Rome, an electrician opened a trap door, and then another.
    Justin Porter, New York Times, 22 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The Rams were high on Ferguson even as one of a few scenarios explored in the first round.
    Jourdan Rodrigue, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2025
  • By demystifying the practice and speaking candidly about its benefits, Lennon and Harrison opened the door for millions to explore meditation as a means of achieving inner peace, resilience, and self-understanding.
    Jordan Runtagh, People.com, 26 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Justice Amy Coney Barrett questioned the district’s defense that the books are being used to promote respect for others and to show that the world is diverse.
    Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2025
  • But some experts have questioned the validity of a player excelling at both positions at the pro level.
    Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 22 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • But internal correspondence reviewed by The News indicates that an MTA engineer raised concerns in early March — even before the water was turned off at the facility — that sewage was leaking into the soil around the depot.
    Evan Simko-Bednarski, New York Daily News, 27 Apr. 2025
  • Partners have no control over or input into the reporting or editing process and do not review stories before publication.
    Shayna Goldman, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Secondly, investigating the relationship between immediate and medium-term returns following the earnings announcement to guide trading choices after the release.
    Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 28 Apr. 2025
  • While the researchers were investigating their ChoiceJacking attacks last year, Google independently updated its confirmation with the release of version 15 in November.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 28 Apr. 2025
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
Verb
  • The good news is the vast majority of people still have confidence in the safety of the measles vaccine, says Liz Hamel, director of public opinion and survey research at KFF, a nonprofit health policy research organization which conducted the poll.
    Maria Godoy, NPR, 23 Apr. 2025
  • In South Africa, an overwhelming majority of executives surveyed want their country to phase out coal from electricity generation in the next decade.
    María Mendiluce, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Examine.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/examine. Accessed 2 May. 2025.

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