as in examining
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
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Recent Examples of scrutinizing
Members of Congress have also begun scrutinizing the deployments, raising concerns about civil liberties and the growing use of military forces in civilian settings.
—
Melody Gutierrez, Los Angeles Times, 31 Dec. 2025
While Venezuelan authorities took initial action, investigators in Spain were also scrutinizing Shasta’s operations.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 28 Dec. 2025
According to an affidavit submitted by USDA Office of Inspector General Special Agent Todd Bucci viewed by PEOPLE, investigators began scrutinizing the stores after noticing unusually high SNAP redemption totals that did not align with the stores’ size, inventory or equipment.
—Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 18 Dec. 2025
Carr pushed back when Democrats accused him of scrutinizing news outlets for partisan reasons, pointing out several Democrats in Congress urged cable providers to drop Fox during a routine licensing renewal over content on the network during former President Biden’s term.
—Dominick Mastrangelo, The Hill, 17 Dec. 2025
The move was said to be in effect until end of year, with the agency also closely scrutinizing expenses and assistant overtime.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 16 Dec. 2025
Rising insurance bills force consumers to assess options ACA experts say many consumers are likely scrutinizing their monthly costs due to the expiration of the enhanced tax credits.
—Ken Alltucker, USA Today, 13 Dec. 2025
Some felt that those clinics were focused on profit – a concern shared by some scholars scrutinizing the fertility industry.
—Emma Kennedy, The Conversation, 12 Dec. 2025
Limited partners — the fund investors — are also scrutinizing managers more closely than ever, demanding stronger performance and tighter governance.
—Anniek Bao, CNBC, 5 Nov. 2025
Melody Gutierrez, Los Angeles Times, 31 Dec. 2025
While Venezuelan authorities took initial action, investigators in Spain were also scrutinizing Shasta’s operations.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 28 Dec. 2025
According to an affidavit submitted by USDA Office of Inspector General Special Agent Todd Bucci viewed by PEOPLE, investigators began scrutinizing the stores after noticing unusually high SNAP redemption totals that did not align with the stores’ size, inventory or equipment.
—Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 18 Dec. 2025
Carr pushed back when Democrats accused him of scrutinizing news outlets for partisan reasons, pointing out several Democrats in Congress urged cable providers to drop Fox during a routine licensing renewal over content on the network during former President Biden’s term.
—Dominick Mastrangelo, The Hill, 17 Dec. 2025
The move was said to be in effect until end of year, with the agency also closely scrutinizing expenses and assistant overtime.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 16 Dec. 2025
Rising insurance bills force consumers to assess options ACA experts say many consumers are likely scrutinizing their monthly costs due to the expiration of the enhanced tax credits.
—Ken Alltucker, USA Today, 13 Dec. 2025
Some felt that those clinics were focused on profit – a concern shared by some scholars scrutinizing the fertility industry.
—Emma Kennedy, The Conversation, 12 Dec. 2025
Limited partners — the fund investors — are also scrutinizing managers more closely than ever, demanding stronger performance and tighter governance.
—Anniek Bao, CNBC, 5 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scrutinizing
Verb
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Whether revisiting legendary careers or examining the fleeting intensity of modern pop, these films offer music lovers a chance to experience the stories behind the sound.—
Charlie Vargas,
Oc Register,
8 Jan. 2026
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This past summer, Brossoit and doctors, after examining his right hip, found the root cause of the knee pain — a cam lesion on the head of his femur that was causing issues with cartilage inside the joint.—
Curtis Pashelka,
Mercury News,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
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After reviewing Grok's publicly accessible photo feed, Copyleaks identified a conservative rate of roughly one nonconsensual sexualized image per minute, based on images involving real people with no clear indication of consent.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
10 Jan. 2026
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This can mean cutting unnecessary expenses, shoring up insurance protections and, perhaps most importantly, reviewing ways to make extra money.—
Matt Richardson,
CBS News,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Wegmans, a popular supermarket chain, is now scanning the faces of customers and storing data so its security system can recognize them.—
Tim McNicholas,
CBS News,
6 Jan. 2026
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In 2017, the Ig Nobel Prize in Medicine went to a team of English and French researchers who used advanced brain-scanning technology to measure the extent to which some people are disgusted by cheese.—
Scott Lafee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
6 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Parrish stood at the wheel, his gimlet eyes surveying the water beneath a threadbare Pink Floyd cap.—
Henry Wismayer,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Jan. 2026
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Video posted on social media showed a resident surveying the damage by kayak.—
Hannah Fry,
Los Angeles Times,
2 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The Coast Guard is the primary federal authority responsible for inspecting commercial riverboats on the nation's inland waterways.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
31 Dec. 2025
-
Huening advises inspecting them periodically for animal activity and sun exposure.—
Colleen Sullivan,
Better Homes & Gardens,
29 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Scrutinizing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scrutinizing. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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