scrutinize
Americanverb (used with object)
verb (used without object)
verb
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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scrutinizationnoun
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scrutinizernoun
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rescrutinizeverb (used with object)
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self-scrutinizedadjective
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self-scrutinizingadjective
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unscrutinizedadjective
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unscrutinizingadjective
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scrutinizinglyadverb
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unscrutinizinglyadverb
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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scrutinizesimple
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scrutinizessimple
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have scrutinizedperfect
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has scrutinizedperfect
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am scrutinizingprogressive
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are scrutinizingprogressive
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is scrutinizingprogressive
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have been scrutinizingperfect progressive
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has been scrutinizingperfect progressive
Past
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scrutinizedsimple
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had scrutinizedperfect
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was scrutinizingprogressive
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were scrutinizingprogressive
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had been scrutinizingperfect progressive
Future
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.”
Vocabulary lists containing scrutinize
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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:
The week ahead is a relatively quiet one for U.S. economic data but investors will scrutinize any evidence of how the economy is performing ahead of the next Federal Reserve announcement on July 29.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 17, 2026
Nandy suggested that Britain also should scrutinize the impact of combining two major streaming services, HBO Max, a Warner property, with Paramount+.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 30, 2026
President Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth in recent months have pledged to scrutinize defense contractors’ performance, and penalize those that don’t improve.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 15, 2026
You’ve said the judge has promised to scrutinize this.
From Slate ● Jun. 9, 2026
It was to scrutinize such questions as these that we undertook a dissection.
From "The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume I: The Pox Party" by M.T. Anderson
After the exam, an analyst scrutinizes the results and decides whether or not they indicate deception or are inconclusive.
From Salon ● Nov. 18, 2025
She scrutinizes every element of her tour looking for ways to be more environmentally conscious.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 29, 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
“I felt so cared for by Lila. She scrutinizes you and that is a gift, because many directors take care of the form but do not take care of the substance.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 1, 2024
Instead, she looks back down at the bin and scrutinizes each object for clues, for some bit of information to store away and examine later.
From "The Sun Is Also a Star" by Nicola Yoon
While the details of the breach in Surfside Beach are still being scrutinized, cyber intruders have a typical toolbox for such crimes.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 21, 2026
From the beginning, the victims were scrutinized on the chance they might provide a motive.
From Slate ● Jul. 7, 2026
When she scrutinized his Facebook page, which has since been taken down, she noticed the account was based in Nigeria.
From Barron's ● Jul. 3, 2026
Austin Reaves, the most beloved Laker, became the most scrutinized Laker on Wednesday with the news that he agreed to a maximum four-year, $185-million contract to remain with the team.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 24, 2026
He bent over the map, scrutinized it for what seemed an eternity, and finally pointed with his finger.
From "Inkheart" by Cornelia Funke
Wall Street is scrutinizing their business performance more closely than ever ahead of their market debuts.
From Barron's ● Jul. 24, 2026
And though his passion is food — and mine is scrutinizing it skeptically — I forgive him, because the show has become a minor obsession.
From Salon ● Jun. 15, 2026
Coke instructed its technicians to conduct regular quality reviews of McDonald’s equipment, scrutinizing everything from temperature to carbonation levels.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 13, 2026
The job: The city controller serves as L.A.’s chief auditor and watchdog of the public purse, including scrutinizing how money is spent and whether City Hall is performing efficiently.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 31, 2026
The one ever scrutinizing into the public opinion, and ready to follow where he could not lead it; the other insulting it by the most adverse sentiments and pursuits.
From "Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation" by Joseph J. Ellis
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
