scrutinize

verb

scru·​ti·​nize ˈskrü-tə-ˌnīz 

scrutinized; scrutinizing

transitive verb

: to examine closely and minutely

intransitive verb

: to make a scrutiny

scrutinizer noun

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Scrutinize This Word's Etymology

Scrutinize the history of scrutinize far back enough and you wind up sifting through trash: the word comes from Latin scrutari, which means "to search, to examine," and scrutari likely comes from scruta, meaning "trash," the etymology evoking one who searches through trash for anything of value. The noun scrutiny preceded scrutinize in English, and in its earliest 15th century use referred to a formal vote, and later to an official examination of votes. Scrutinize was established in the 17th century with its familiar "to examine closely" meaning, but retained reference to voting with the meaning "to examine votes" at least into the 18th century. And while the term scrutineer can be a general term referring to someone who examines something, it is also sometimes used specifically as a term for an election poll watcher.

Synonyms

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

Choose the Right Synonym for scrutinize

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 scrutinize in a Sentence

I closely scrutinized my opponent's every move.

Her performance was carefully scrutinized by her employer.

Recent Examples on the Web

The video has been scrutinized, with a report claiming the man is actually an infamous intelligence officer in the Assad government. —Brady Knox, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 16 Dec. 2024

Lawmakers have scrutinized prices of weight-loss drugs such as Ozempic and Wegovy. —Ken Alltucker, USA TODAY, 15 Dec. 2024

Similarly, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) administrator nominee Dr. Mehmet Oz has been scrutinized for pushing dubious medical treatments. —David Williams, Baltimore Sun, 15 Dec. 2024

As authorities continue to scrutinize the evidence and investigate the suspect's background, Newsweek looks at some unanswered questions about the case. —Stephan Pechdimaldji, Newsweek, 13 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1671, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

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Kids Definition

scrutinize

verb

scru·​ti·​nize ˈskrüt-ᵊn-ˌīz 

scrutinized; scrutinizing

: to examine very closely : inspect