scrutiny

noun

scru·​ti·​ny ˈskrü-tə-nē 

ˈskrüt-nē

plural scrutinies

1

: a searching study, inquiry, or inspection : examination

2

: a searching look

3

: close watch : surveillance

Synonyms

• audit
• check
• checkup
• examination
• going-over
• inspection
• look-see
• review
• scan
• survey
• view

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

While Tesla may experience a bump in the United States, its CEO, Elon Musk, still faces sharp scrutiny for his outsized role in the federal government as head of the Department of Government Efficiency. —Ramishah Maruf, CNN Money, 29 Mar. 2025

Golden Gate Fields — once the region’s premier track — shut down in June after 83 years amid financial losses and scrutiny over horse safety. —Daniel Hunt, Sacbee.com, 29 Mar. 2025

The tightening of regulation and government scrutiny also hit investment. —Arjun Kharpal, CNBC, 28 Mar. 2025

The audit request came about due to intense scrutiny as the setting of two high-profile cases. —Flint McColgan, Boston Herald, 27 Mar. 2025

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

Phrases Containing scrutiny

• self-scrutiny
• under scrutiny

Rhymes for scrutiny

• mutiny

Kids Definition

scrutiny

noun

scru·​ti·​ny ˈskrüt-ᵊn-ē 

ˈskrüt-nē

plural scrutinies

: a close inspection : examination

Legal Definition

scrutiny

noun

scru·​ti·​ny ˈskrüt-ᵊn-ē 

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