SCRUTINIZE Synonyms: 37 Similar and Opposite Words

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

Some common synonyms of scrutinize are examine , inspect , and scan . While all these words mean "to look at or over," scrutinize stresses close attention to minute detail. // scrutinized the hospital bill

Q: When might 'examine' be a better fit than 'scrutinize'?

The words examine and scrutinize are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, examine suggests a scrutiny in order to determine the nature, condition, or quality of a thing. // examined the specimens

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

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

Q: When could 'scan' be used to replace 'scrutinize'?

In some situations, the words scan and scrutinize are roughly equivalent. However, scan implies a surveying from point to point often suggesting a cursory overall observation. // scanned the wine list

scrutinize

verb

ˈskrü-tə-ˌnīz

Definition of scrutinize next

as in to examine

to look over closely (as for judging quality or condition) the project's time constraints make it impossible for the programmers to scrutinize every line of code, so some bugs should be expected

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of scrutinize are examine, inspect, and scan. While all these words mean "to look at or over," scrutinize stresses close attention to minute detail.

scrutinized the hospital bill

When might examine be a better fit than scrutinize?

The words examine and scrutinize are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, examine suggests a scrutiny in order to determine the nature, condition, or quality of a thing.

examined the specimens

When is inspect a more appropriate choice than scrutinize?

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

inspected my credentials

When could scan be used to replace scrutinize?

In some situations, the words scan and scrutinize are roughly equivalent. However, scan implies a surveying from point to point often suggesting a cursory overall observation.

scanned the wine list

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 scrutinize Zhao normally would have read each page of the document closely, scrutinizing the terms. —

Alana Semuels, TIME, 14 Jan. 2025 The hearing at the Senate Armed Services Committee is the start of a weeklong marathon as senators begin scrutinizing Trump’s choices for more than a dozen top administrative positions. —

Lisa Mascaro, Chicago Tribune, 14 Jan. 2025 As Bow was previously engaged to Erica Mena, and shares a daughter with Joie Chavis and a son with model Olivia Sky—he has be scrutinized for his public comments about the women in his life. —

Amber Corrine, VIBE.com, 6 Jan. 2025 Trump has been scrutinized over procedural policies that would violate birthright citizenship clauses in the Constitution and perceived efforts to detain children of legal status with their undocumented parents. —

Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 4 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for scrutinize

Recent Examples of Synonyms for scrutinize

Verb

California Tiny burning embers flew miles, causing L.A. fire destruction on historic scale Jan. 9, 2025 During the autopsy, which determines the manner and cause of a person’s death, pathologists will also examine the body for identifying features.

Matthew Ormseth, Los Angeles Times, 10 Jan. 2025
No other defendant in the cases examined received an unconditional discharge.

Kate Christobek, New York Times, 10 Jan. 2025