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scan

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noun

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

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 scan
Verb
Each film title is scanned in 2K or 4K — sometimes in HDR for enhanced detail — directly from the original camera negatives, reel by reel, then color graded and returned to storage. Ben Croll, Variety, 7 May 2025 From monitoring user access to scanning contracts for policy violations, AI helps organizations automate oversight and keep pace with changing regulations. Deepak Yadav, Forbes.com, 30 Apr. 2025
Noun
To enroll, users stare into an Orb, which collects a scan of their irises. Jason Henry, New York Times, 3 May 2025 Anna Martins, a venture investor from Brazil, scans her eyeballs at World’s event in San Francisco on April 30 to announce the launch of six U.S. retail locations for eyeball scans. Riya Bhattacharjee,hayden Field, CNBC, 1 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for scan
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scan
Verb
  • The study also examined the likelihood of atypical handedness in clinical populations, or groups of people diagnosed with a specific set of health conditions compared to a control population.
    Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 10 May 2025
  • Meanwhile, Pluto stationed retrograde on the same day, shaking things up in your immediate environment, forcing you to examine your communication style and perspective, as you could be stuck in old patterns of thinking.
    Valerie Mesa, People.com, 9 May 2025
Noun
  • Trains cannot resume until safety inspections and equipment checks are completed, meaning contingency bus and light rail services will continue for now.
    Theo Burman, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 May 2025
  • Traffic reopened in both directions after a preliminary inspection.
    N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 19 May 2025
Verb
  • Most players who aren’t reviewing the game should feel comfortable skipping these scenes and getting back to the action as quickly as possible.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 9 May 2025
  • For the study, published in the Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, scientists reviewed more than a dozen previous papers, including data on nearly 6,000 distance runners.
    Brian Mastroianni, Health, 9 May 2025
Noun
  • Its message: Instead of going to see a doctor in person, customers can get access to prescription drugs and medicines by filling in a medical intake form and then undergoing an examination online by a medical professional to check their eligibility.
    Jemima McEvoy, Forbes.com, 8 May 2025
  • Expand All State administrative complaints says Miami Lakes Plastic Surgery did surgeries without documented proper examination, liposuction with too much fat removed and didn’t provide patients with enough information before surgeries.
    David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 8 May 2025
Verb
  • The Baltimore Sun surveyed all the Derby horses from 2022 to 2025 and found that only 10 of the 67 horses ran in both the Derby and Preakness.
    John Cherwa, Los Angeles Times, 16 May 2025
  • Economists surveyed by Dow Jones were expecting an increase of 0.3%.
    Brian Evans,Sawdah Bhaimiya, CNBC, 15 May 2025
Noun
  • What To Know The recall was initiated after Current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) deviations were identified during an audit by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), according to product distributor AvKARE.
    Joe Edwards, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 May 2025
  • For example, an organization reaches $100 million in valuation and is being scrutinized during an audit or through an acquisition process.
    Guy Yehiav, Forbes.com, 12 May 2025
Verb
  • As the fireline is constructed, inspected or reinforced, mappers record those details to adjust the containment percentage.
    CA WILDFIRE BOT, Sacbee.com, 18 May 2025
  • Earlier this month, the North Korean leader supervised a missile test, inspected tank and munitions plants, and made a rare stop at the Russian embassy in Pyongyang to reaffirm the nation's alliance with Moscow.
    Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 17 May 2025
Noun
  • Trump's administration has faced intense scrutiny for its handling of immigrants in recent months.
    Michael Nied, People.com, 16 May 2025
  • However, some immigration attorneys say such searches are becoming more frequent under the Trump Administration, and now social media profiles or being outspoken on a political issue are also under higher scrutiny.
    Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 16 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Scan.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scan. Accessed 22 May. 2025.

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