Synonyms

scrutinize

American

[skroot-n-ahyz] / ˈskrut nˌaɪz /

especially British, scrutinise

verb (used with object)

to examine in detail with careful or critical attention.

Synonyms:

search, study, investigate

verb (used without object)

to conduct a scrutiny.

Synonyms:

search, study, investigate

scrutinize British

/ ˈskruːtɪˌnaɪz /

verb

(tr) to examine carefully or in minute detail

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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Etymology

Origin of scrutinize

First recorded in 1665–75; scrutin(y) + -ize

Explanation

If you want to examine something closely and go over every single detail, then you should scrutinize it. Like the way your mom probably assesses your outfit before you leave the house for school. Scrutinizing is very different from glancing or gazing. It's even more than a long, hard look. To scrutinize something, you have to look at it really critically, investigating every nook and cranny. Often things are scrutinized to verify if they're correct or authentic. So it makes perfect sense that this verb is rooted in the Latin word scrutari, which means “to search.”

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Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

scrutinize scrutinizes scrutinized scrutinizing

That fear is partially what “Paralyzed by Hope” seeks to scrutinize and change.

From Salon ● Oct. 23, 2026

As investors increasingly scrutinize spending by artificial intelligence-related companies, many still want exposure to the big names that they hope will keep driving that new technology.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 22, 2026

The push reflects the restaurant chain’s effort to capture more group dining occasions as inflation-weary consumers scrutinize spending.

From Barron's ● Oct. 13, 2026

He said the district also must scrutinize its own spending, including ensuring “major construction and capital projects are completed responsibly.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 1, 2026

He brought his head back up to scrutinize me.

From "The Secret History" by Donna Tartt

The probe is the first into a Chinese deal under the EU’s Foreign Subsidies Regulation, which scrutinizes non-EU government support.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 28, 2026

“Eddington” scrutinizes our national psyche so intensely that it makes folks itchy.

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 10, 2026

After the exam, an analyst scrutinizes the results and decides whether or not they indicate deception or are inconclusive.

From Salon ● Nov. 18, 2025

Now, she is moving again—this time into the House of Lords, the United Kingdom’s unelected upper legislative chamber that scrutinizes, amends, and approves proposed legislation.

From Science Magazine ● May 10, 2024

The smith scrutinizes my face, his brow furrowed as if he’s considering something, making a decision.

From "An Ember in the Ashes" by Sabaa Tahir

Fraternities -- male social clubs common on US campuses -- are particularly scrutinized.

From Barron's ● Nov. 6, 2026

Dodgers owner Mark Walter wins partial nod to slash pile of scrutinized loans.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 3, 2026

Comma.ai has been selling the kits since 2020, though regulators had scrutinized the company’s plans even earlier.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 29, 2026

The lawmakers elected in November will have a say in how federal food-safety agencies are funded, scrutinized and held accountable when the next outbreak arrives.

From Salon ● Oct. 19, 2026

Anxiety, self-doubt, and bickering replaced that night’s buoyant optimism as Bolles scrutinized each of them anew, trying to figure out who to keep in the boat and who to demote.

From "The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics" by Daniel James Brown

That includes scrutinizing how teachers evaluate their children.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 10, 2026

But communities are starting to ask for more than job creation potential and total investment when scrutinizing new construction projects.

From Barron's ● Nov. 5, 2026

But unlike the show it’s scrutinizing, “Primetime” lets its prey walk free.

From Salon ● Sep. 26, 2026

Ultimately, by scrutinizing price ranges and volume, investors can glean how institutional investors feel about a stock’s prospects.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 7, 2026

“Oh, I’m fine,” said Hermione, who was scrutinizing Harry as though he was sickening for something.

From "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" by J.K. Rowling

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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023