inspect

verb

in·​spect in-ˈspekt 

inspected; inspecting; inspects

transitive verb

1

: to view closely in critical appraisal : look over

2

: to examine officially

inspects the barracks every Friday

intransitive verb

: to make an inspection

inspective

in-ˈspek-tiv 

adjective

Synonyms

• audit
• check (out)
• con
• examine
• overlook
• oversee
• review
• scan
• scrutinize
• survey
• view

Choose the Right Synonym for inspect

scrutinize, scan, inspect, examine mean to look at or over.

scrutinize stresses close attention to minute detail.

scrutinized the hospital bill

scan implies a surveying from point to point often suggesting a cursory overall observation.

scanned the wine list

inspect implies scrutinizing for errors or defects.

inspected my credentials

examine suggests a scrutiny in order to determine the nature, condition, or quality of a thing.

examined the specimens

Examples of inspect in a Sentence

She had the car inspected by a mechanic before she bought it.

The candles are inspected for damage before being packaged.

After the storm, we went outside to inspect the damage.

He inspected the soldiers' barracks.

inspecting a restaurant for health code violations

Recent Examples on the Web

The remedy is to inspect plants before purchasing and not buy symptomatic plants. —Rita Perwich, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Apr. 2024

Airport officials would take the time to inspect runways while the flights were grounded. —Charlotte Phillipp, Peoplemag, 5 Apr. 2024

Many rail services were halted as the authorities inspected tracks for damage. —John Yoon, New York Times, 3 Apr. 2024

But two high-ranking government sources there told the Herald a day later that there was no record of him being inspected by Customs officials before traversing the Caribbean island, which is mandatory. —Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 29 Mar. 2024

By leveraging sensors and software, these lines extract maximum value from end-of-life servers through their ability to inspect parts and track part-and-process history, intelligently directing components for reuse, recycling or upcycling. —Sviat Dulianinov, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024

How to use eclipse glasses Before viewing the eclipse, the American Astronomical Society recommends inspecting the glasses and discarding them if they are scratched, punctured, torn, or otherwise damaged. —Jennifer Dixon, Detroit Free Press, 27 Mar. 2024

The city inspects recycling and garbage cans outside single-family and multi-family residences and businesses at least once a week. —Nollyanne Delacruz, The Mercury News, 27 Mar. 2024

For now, Goody remains at her post in the mill each day, happily quizzing clients on the phone, training weavers, inspecting fabric, creating samples and rushing orders for costume designers, all the while bringing us closer to a past that, thanks to her, feels newly tangible. —Rachel Dickinson, Smithsonian Magazine, 26 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin inspectus, past participle of inspicere, from in- + specere to look — more at spy

First Known Use

circa 1623, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Kids Definition

inspect

verb

in·​spect in-ˈspekt 

1

: to examine closely (as for judging quality or condition)

inspect meat

2

: to view and examine officially

inspect the troops

Legal Definition

inspect

transitive verb

in·​spect

1

: to view closely and critically

2

: to examine officially

inspect the facility for code violations

intransitive verb

: to make an inspection