Synonyms of scrutinize

scrutinize

verb

ˈskrü-tə-ˌnīz 

as in to examine

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

the project's time constraints make it impossible for the programmers to scrutinize every line of code, so some bugs should be expected

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• skim
• miss
• glance (at or over)

Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of scrutinize are examine, inspect, and scan. While all these words mean "to look at or over," scrutinize stresses close attention to minute detail.

scrutinized the hospital bill

When might examine be a better fit than scrutinize?

The words examine and scrutinize 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 is inspect a more appropriate choice than scrutinize?

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

inspected my credentials

When could scan be used to replace scrutinize?

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

scanned the wine list

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of scrutinize

In turn, housing regulators are responsible to scrutinize owners’ practices primarily as a deterrent to fraudulent and wasteful disbursement of federal funds – ironically, the very motivation of recent federal fiscal actions that reduce agency budgets. —Jamie Kennedy, Hartford Courant, 13 June 2025

The criminal investigation that led to the charges was launched in April, after Abrego Garcia was deported to El Salvador, as federal authorities began scrutinizing the circumstances of a 2022 traffic stop of Abrego Garcia by the Tennessee Highway Patrol, according to sources. —James Hill, ABC News, 9 June 2025

Republican state lawmakers in DeSantis’ party have been scrutinizing Hope Florida and its nonprofit foundation, which gave $10 million from a state Medicaid settlement to two nonprofits. —Mike Schneider, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2025

The criminal investigation that led to the charges was launched in April as federal authorities began scrutinizing the circumstances of a 2022 traffic stop of Abrego Garcia by the Tennessee Highway Patrol, according to the sources. —Katherine Faulders, ABC News, 6 June 2025

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