Definition of scrutinizenext
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

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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

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 scrutinize At a time when cultural heritage was increasingly being scrutinized as a matter of social justice, the Duryodhana case also turned an uncomfortable spotlight on the museums that had dealt with Latchford, directly or indirectly. Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 17 June 2026 Boards and investment committees are heavily scrutinizing transactions before signing off on them, and private capital is becoming more concentrated. Elsa Ohlen, CNBC, 16 June 2026 The main entrance is sealed by a forbidding steel gate, pierced only by a peephole through which the durwans can scrutinize would-be visitors. Literary Hub, 16 June 2026 Meanwhile, European Union regulators are scrutinizing the deal’s financing and impacts on competition. Jon Brodkin, ArsTechnica, 16 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for scrutinize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scrutinize
Verb
  • Link to earlier discovery The new findings come less than a year after Perseverance examined a rock called Cheyava Falls, which scientists described as one of the most intriguing samples collected on Mars.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 25 June 2026
  • Take a couple of minutes to examine one testicle at a time.
    Dr. Jamin Brahmbhatt, CNN Money, 25 June 2026
Verb
  • The creation of this content included the use of AI based on templates created, reviewed and edited by journalists in the newsroom.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 21 June 2026
  • Many California counties do not employ a single defense investigator who can interview witnesses, review police reports, visit crime scenes and retrieve video surveillance footage.
    Anat Rubin, Los Angeles Times, 21 June 2026
Verb
  • During high-stakes moments, a shrinking timer bar at the top of the screen forces you to quickly scan the room for an interactive object.
    Jennifer Maas, Variety, 23 June 2026
  • By November 2025, Meta had launched a dedicated content protection tool that automatically scanned Facebook and Instagram for Reels sharing similar traits with a creator’s original uploads.
    Aditya Jadhav, Interesting Engineering, 23 June 2026
Verb
  • The race was red-flagged, so crews could clean up the mess and inspect the barriers.
    Matt Reigle OutKick, FOXNews.com, 21 June 2026
  • In one Zooniverse project related to the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, volunteers will visually inspect and annotate 2D slitless spectroscopic images from the telescope to observe the redshift of millions of galaxies — the main method used for measuring the expansion of the universe.
    Adam Harrington, CBS News, 21 June 2026
Verb
  • The court ruling means that the question will not be on the November ballot even though a Suffolk University/Boston Globe poll last week found that 66% of voters surveyed favored it.
    Peter Lucas, Boston Herald, 25 June 2026
  • Ahead of the games, athlete delegations are surveyed about their interest in participating, and they’re then assigned to available seats once aircraft volunteer rosters are finalized, according to Textron Aviation.
    Zach Wichter, USA Today, 25 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Scrutinize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scrutinize. Accessed 27 Jun. 2026.

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