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 Arnold, 19, quipped as Savchenko examined the images. —

Esther Kang, People.com, 5 Nov. 2024 As 2025 draws nearer, now is the time for nonprofit organizations to critically examine their current marketing and communications strategies. —

Expert Panel®, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024 Filmmaker Sav Rodgers uncovers truths about himself while examining his relationship to Chasing Amy. —

Samantha Allen, Them, 4 Nov. 2024 With less nuclear medicine studies examining the heart, critical diagnoses could be delayed. —

Omer Awan, Forbes, 24 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for examine

Recent Examples of Synonyms for examine

Verb

Available on The Week Bookshop A Thread of Violence Mark O'Connell, 2023 Another book that interrogates the act of writing about crime.

The Week UK, theweek, 1 Nov. 2024
Her winning work, titled Behula and a Thousand Tales (2024), uses photography, prints, text, and sculpture to interrogate the role of women in Bangladesh and beyond.

George Nelson, ARTnews.com, 31 Oct. 2024