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

Ford seat belt recall remedy Dealers will inspect seat belt buckle anchor bolts in all seating positions and, if the vehicle is equipped, the seat belt retractor anchor bolt and seat belt anchor bolt at the second-row center seating position, Ford said. —Mike Snider, USA TODAY, 22 Feb. 2025

Both Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office prosecutors and Pino’s defense attorneys plan to have experts inspect the Robalo center console early next month. —David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 21 Feb. 2025

Israeli officials have ordered all bus and train services halted while all vehicles are inspected for bombs following the three bus explosions. —Louis Casiano, Fox News, 20 Feb. 2025

Also, after a nine-year journey, the probe passed its second major science target, zipping by the KBO Arrokoth in 2019, the most distant object ever inspected up close. —Leonard David, Space.com, 19 Feb. 2025

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