Synonyms of inspect

inspect

verb

in-ˈspekt 

as in to examine

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

inspected the collie before the dog show

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• skim
• miss
• glance (at or over)

Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of inspect are examine, scan, and scrutinize. While all these words mean "to look at or over," inspect implies scrutinizing for errors or defects.

inspected my credentials

When can examine be used instead of inspect?

The words examine and inspect are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, examine suggests a scrutiny in order to determine the nature, condition, or quality of a thing.

examined the specimens

When might scan be a better fit than inspect?

In some situations, the words scan and inspect are roughly equivalent. However, scan implies a surveying from point to point often suggesting a cursory overall observation.

scanned the wine list

When would scrutinize be a good substitute for inspect?

The synonyms scrutinize and inspect are sometimes interchangeable, but scrutinize stresses close attention to minute detail.

scrutinized the hospital bill

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of inspect

That’s why your home must be inspected from the ground up to the roofline. —Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 6 Mar. 2026

After Barnard student Grace Gold was killed by a falling brick back in 1979, New York City passed a law requiring buildings be inspected every five years. —Ali Bauman, CBS News, 6 Mar. 2026

The motel was ordered by Eureka’s code enforcement division on Tuesday, March 3, to remain closed until the heating and ventilation systems of all rooms have been inspected and carbon monoxide detectors installed. —Bay Area News Group, Mercury News, 6 Mar. 2026

Laurels for work UKAEA and CERN have received a ‘Highly Commended’ recognition at The Engineer’s Collaborate to Innovate (C2I) Awards for jointly developing a compact autonomous robot designed to inspect the LHC. —Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 5 Mar. 2026