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 The Defense Intelligence Agency is only one of 18 such federal agencies that will examine the operation’s success, and the Israelis will conduct their own review. Michael Wilner, Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2025 Fashion for Good recently published an article that examines the environmental challenges of denim production and provides alternatives for more circular systems. Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 26 June 2025 Through a recent research program examining the impact of AI on work, jobs, organizations, and the workplace, a clear pattern has emerged. Andrew Mawson, Forbes.com, 25 June 2025 Greenfield spent time with the series participants like Shear in their home and school environments, and with the young people’s permission examined their social media accounts. Matthew Carey, Deadline, 13 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for examine
Recent Examples of Synonyms for examine
Verb
  • Their new works, spanning sculpture, installation, and mixed media, use architectural motifs as both metaphor and material, interrogating how personal and political histories are built—and unbuilt.
    Lee Sharrock, Forbes.com, 22 June 2025
  • To really interrogate love today, the band went back in time to examine these concepts over the generations.
    Julyssa Lopez, Rolling Stone, 22 June 2025
Verb
  • As the fireline is constructed, inspected or reinforced, mappers record those details to adjust the containment percentage.
    CA WILDFIRE BOT, Sacbee.com, 23 June 2025
  • But before checking for ripeness, start by inspecting the pineapple for any obvious signs of damage or spoilage, including bruising, soft spots, wrinkled skin, or dry, brown leaves.
    Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 22 June 2025
Verb
  • Companies that stop exploring eventually watch others in their field eat their lunch.
    Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 25 June 2025
  • The spot was known to local indigenous farmers, but was never explored in depth by researchers because of its unassuming location.
    Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 June 2025
Verb
  • Interest Rates: While speaking at an event in Portugal Tuesday, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell was questioned about the timing of an interest rate cut.
    Catherine Brock, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
  • The network of community leaders and officials all questioned the administration’s determination that Haiti is now safe enough for people to return.
    Churchill Ndonwie, Miami Herald, 1 July 2025
Verb
  • The creation of this content included the use of AI based on templates created, reviewed and edited by journalists in the newsroom.
    CA WILDFIRE BOT, Sacbee.com, 26 June 2025
  • In early August 2023, Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker formed an Ad Hoc Council Committee on Emergency Medical Response to assess MedStar’s services and review other EMS models.
    Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 June 2025
Verb
  • The national police Anti-Cybercrime Group is currently investigating another deepfake of Marcos promoting an online trading platform.
    Cecilia Hult, Fortune, 28 June 2025
  • So Almonte, 23, who also needed to see a doctor, investigated her employer's health offerings.
    Renuka Rayasam, NPR, 27 June 2025
Verb
  • Victor’s characters were magnetically awkward, their address was intimate and direct, and their creator scanned as a pretty weirdo with a tap on the discourse and on the possibilities of the contemporary internet.
    Katy Waldman, New Yorker, 29 June 2025
  • Researchers with the organization scanned 700 miles of Lake Michigan using sonar technology and used models to recreate the weather patterns that Flight 2501 would have encountered the night of the crash.
    Toria Sheffield, People.com, 28 June 2025
Verb
  • In 2024 data, there were 2,820 software developers surveyed, and in 2023, there were 3,020.
    Amaia Gavica, Idaho Statesman, 22 June 2025
  • But independents don’t like it so far, and even Republicans surveyed narrowly see the bill’s tax policies as not beneficial to their family.
    Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 20 June 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Examine.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/examine. Accessed 7 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on examine

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!