as in examining
to look over closely (as for judging quality or condition)
scanned the manuscript carefully for any overlooked errors
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Recent Examples of scanning
The drones automatically adapt scanning parameters based on environmental conditions while stabilizing flight to counter strong airflow inside freezer aisles.
—
Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 10 Feb. 2026
Once active, nearby cameras begin scanning automatically.
—Staff, FOXNews.com, 9 Feb. 2026
With the Sloan Digital Sky Survey, York then marshaled forces to create one single telescope that could map hundreds of millions of objects in the sky — a central telescope systematically scanning the sky, and then releasing massive quantities of data publicly available to any scientist.
—Bob Goldsborough, Chicago Tribune, 7 Feb. 2026
Facial recognition tools have also become widely available to law enforcement agencies across the country, but there was a time when they were largely used as investigative tools, using photos of individual suspects rather than proactively scanning people in the field.
—Matt Lavietes, NBC news, 6 Feb. 2026
In a release Thursday morning, the company announced a technology called Page Match, where readers can switch between reading a physical copy of a book and listening to the audiobook version of it by scanning the page.
—Cerys Davies, Los Angeles Times, 5 Feb. 2026
Back home, young Dan watched the show live on TV, scanning the screen for his dad’s camera jib (or crane).
—Jayna Bardahl, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026
When a school attendant unlocked the iron gates, parents and siblings walked onto the blue playground turf, scanning children grouped mostly by class.
—Maeva Bambuck, CNN Money, 1 Feb. 2026
Speaking of safety, the robot is also capable of scanning its surroundings and avoiding contact with other equipment or people.
—Liam Rappleye, USA Today, 31 Jan. 2026
Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 10 Feb. 2026
Once active, nearby cameras begin scanning automatically.
—Staff, FOXNews.com, 9 Feb. 2026
With the Sloan Digital Sky Survey, York then marshaled forces to create one single telescope that could map hundreds of millions of objects in the sky — a central telescope systematically scanning the sky, and then releasing massive quantities of data publicly available to any scientist.
—Bob Goldsborough, Chicago Tribune, 7 Feb. 2026
Facial recognition tools have also become widely available to law enforcement agencies across the country, but there was a time when they were largely used as investigative tools, using photos of individual suspects rather than proactively scanning people in the field.
—Matt Lavietes, NBC news, 6 Feb. 2026
In a release Thursday morning, the company announced a technology called Page Match, where readers can switch between reading a physical copy of a book and listening to the audiobook version of it by scanning the page.
—Cerys Davies, Los Angeles Times, 5 Feb. 2026
Back home, young Dan watched the show live on TV, scanning the screen for his dad’s camera jib (or crane).
—Jayna Bardahl, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026
When a school attendant unlocked the iron gates, parents and siblings walked onto the blue playground turf, scanning children grouped mostly by class.
—Maeva Bambuck, CNN Money, 1 Feb. 2026
Speaking of safety, the robot is also capable of scanning its surroundings and avoiding contact with other equipment or people.
—Liam Rappleye, USA Today, 31 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scanning
Verb
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As a rule, examining Polish posters of this ilk, and trying to guess which films are being publicized, is a deliciously difficult sport.—
Anthony Lane,
New Yorker,
16 Feb. 2026
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The Dallas Morning News is launching a reader survey as part of a project examining how affordable parenthood is in North Texas — and where families feel the biggest strain.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Nevada County Sheriff Shannan Moon said during a press conference on Wednesday that officials are reviewing the company’s decision to approve the expedition after forecasts warned of extreme conditions.—
Noe Padilla,
USA Today,
18 Feb. 2026
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Cops were reviewing the surveillance footage in an attempt to figure out how the shooting unfolded and identify the killer.—
Kerry Burke,
New York Daily News,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Ed Cooley’s head was on a swivel during the national anthem Saturday night, surveying the crowd at Gampel Pavilion.—
Joe Arruda,
Hartford Courant,
15 Feb. 2026
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After surveying the market and their meager remaining financial resources, the Rangers signed Canha to a minor league contract with an invite to spring training.—
Evan Grant,
Dallas Morning News,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Engineers were expected to purge the rocket of liquid propellants during the weekend and continue inspecting ground equipment before replacing a filter suspected to be the cause of the problem.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
16 Feb. 2026
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This includes checking for the aforementioned signs, such as yellow leaves, spots, speckles, and stickiness, but most importantly, inspecting the plants for bugs and eggs on their leaves, containers, and surrounding areas.—
Molly Burford,
Southern Living,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The film will therefore be available for viewing in several formats, with some showings shifting between aspect ratios depending on the emotion and intensity of a scene in select theaters – another first.—
Quincy Bowie,
CNN Money,
17 Feb. 2026
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With the exception for ADA viewing zones, chairs are not allowed in Platinum viewing areas.—
Ed Masley,
AZCentral.com,
16 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Scanning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scanning. Accessed 20 Feb. 2026.
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