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

The painting depicts another married woman surrounded by men who are scrutinizing her. —Smithsonian Magazine, 29 July 2025

Critics raised questions about whether celebrities received special treatment or skirted laws intended to protect children, and governments were sometimes pressured to scrutinize or restrict foreign adoptions more closely. —Jordan King, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 July 2025

For these reasons, the White House isn’t wrong to scrutinize how universities spend federal money. —Bloomberg Opinion, Twin Cities, 27 July 2025

The administration has specifically been scrutinized for not releasing the full tranche of documents and its conflicting messages around their existence. —Antonio Pequeño Iv, Forbes.com, 26 July 2025

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