EXAMINE Synonyms: 69 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'examine' different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of examine are inspect , scan , and scrutinize . While all these words mean "to look at or over," examine suggests a scrutiny in order to determine the nature, condition, or quality of a thing. // examined the specimens

Q: When would 'inspect' be a good substitute for 'examine'?

The words inspect and examine can be used in similar contexts, but inspect implies scrutinizing for errors or defects. // inspected my credentials

Q: In what contexts can 'scan' take the place of 'examine'?

The meanings of scan and examine largely overlap; however, scan implies a surveying from point to point often suggesting a cursory overall observation. // scanned the wine list

Q: When is 'scrutinize' a more appropriate choice than 'examine'?

Although the words scrutinize and examine have much in common, scrutinize stresses close attention to minute detail. // scrutinized the hospital bill

examine

verb

ig-ˈza-mən

Definition of examine next

as in to interrogate

to put a series of questions to the defense attorney was eager to examine her star witness

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in to inspect

to look over closely (as for judging quality or condition) the customer painstakingly examined the antique piece of furniture from top to bottom before purchasing it

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to explore

to search through or into a groundbreaking study that examined the causes of juvenile delinquency

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word examine different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of examine are inspect, scan, and scrutinize. While all these words mean "to look at or over," examine suggests a scrutiny in order to determine the nature, condition, or quality of a thing.

examined the specimens

When would inspect be a good substitute for examine?

The words inspect and examine can be used in similar contexts, but inspect implies scrutinizing for errors or defects.

inspected my credentials

In what contexts can scan take the place of examine?

The meanings of scan and examine largely overlap; however, scan implies a surveying from point to point often suggesting a cursory overall observation.

scanned the wine list

When is scrutinize a more appropriate choice than examine?

Although the words scrutinize and examine have much in common, scrutinize stresses close attention to minute detail.

scrutinized the hospital bill

Examples Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of examine Further supporting this logic, a 2014 study examined responses to social comparison in autistic and neurotypical people using a game in which participants received monetary rewards. —

Trystan Loustau and Liane Young, TIME, 9 Jan. 2025 Duties include providing insights to sales team, examining new technology trends and collaborating with teams to identify new business opportunities. —

Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Jan. 2025 Surrealism at 100: A Reading List On the centennial of the founding of Surrealism, this reading list examines its radical beginnings, its mass popularity, and its continued evolution. —

JSTOR Daily, 8 Jan. 2025 There is research being done on examining which patient will benefit from which type of treatment, using machine learning (AI). —

Tommy Tuberville, Newsweek, 8 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for examine

Recent Examples of Synonyms for examine

Verb

The results interrogate pearl-clutching assumptions of private and public realms, embracing voyeurism and exhibitionism as underlying tensions.

Sam Cochran, Architectural Digest, 15 Jan. 2025
This was indeed a lucky break; even the most up-to-date C.S.I. units can’t interrogate people who’ve been dead 200 years.

Liesl Schillinger, New York Times, 10 Jan. 2025