scrutiny

noun

scru·​ti·​ny ˈskrü-tə-nē How to pronounce scrutiny (audio)
ˈskrüt-nē
plural scrutinies
1
: a searching study, inquiry, or inspection : examination
2
: a searching look
3
: close watch : surveillance

Examples of scrutiny in a Sentence

the close scrutiny of data I'd never faced that kind of scrutiny before. Because of their past crimes, everything they do now will be subject to scrutiny. Her opinion is based on a careful scrutiny of the text.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Before Casey temporarily worked as a part-time consultant for the company, it was tied to several San Jose and Bay Area projects that have come under scrutiny, including the construction of Silvery Towers. Devan Patel, The Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2024 The intersection of financial services and technology, otherwise known as fintech, has increasingly come under federal scrutiny, especially to the extent new firms have attempted to offer traditional banking services without having a banking license. Jeff Kauflin, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024 Netflix first came under scrutiny in France — a major European streaming market next to Germany and the U.K. — for its tax filings for 2019, 2020 and 2021, according to an August 2023 report in French newspaper La Lettre. Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Nov. 2024 Tech companies have come under increasing scrutiny from both sides of the aisle, particularly from the GOP. Vittoria Elliott, WIRED, 5 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for scrutiny 

Word History

Etymology

Latin scrutinium, from scrutari to search, examine, probably from scruta trash

First Known Use

1604, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of scrutiny was in 1604

Dictionary Entries Near scrutiny

Cite this Entry

“Scrutiny.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scrutiny. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

scrutiny

noun
scru·​ti·​ny ˈskrüt-ᵊn-ē How to pronounce scrutiny (audio)
ˈskrüt-nē
plural scrutinies
: a close inspection : examination

Legal Definition

scrutiny

noun
scru·​ti·​ny ˈskrüt-ᵊn-ē How to pronounce scrutiny (audio)
plural scrutinies
: searching study or inquiry
specifically : judicial investigation of the constitutionality of a statutory classification of persons under the equal protection clause of the U.S. Constitution see also intermediate sense 2, strict scrutiny compare rational basis test

More from Merriam-Webster on scrutiny

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