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

Example 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 Target’s reduction in DEI efforts is being scrutinized in the context of increasing pressures on corporations to address social justice issues. —

Quartz Intelligence Newsroom, Quartz, 1 Feb. 2025 But there are so many more players and so many more answers just waiting to be scrutinized. —

Dalton Ross, EW.com, 29 Jan. 2025 Congress stripped out bipartisan PBM reforms in the final federal government spending package late last year, even after lawmakers for years introduced bills and held hearings to scrutinize them. —

Annika Kim Constantino, CNBC, 26 Jan. 2025 Federal investigators raided Banks’ Queens home on Sept. 4 and seized his electronics as part of a corruption probe that sources say is scrutinizing influence-peddling and kickbacks on city contracts. —

Chris Sommerfeldt, New York Daily News, 24 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for scrutinize

Recent Examples of Synonyms for scrutinize

Verb

Yes, the Reputation Management system examines your social media accounts, but Social Media Monitoring in the main IDShield app has a different purpose.

— PCMAG, PCMAG, 15 Feb. 2025
Through fiscal year 2023, the IRS examined 0.44% of individual returns filed for tax years 2013 through 2021, according to the latest IRS Data Book.

— Kate Dore, CFP®, EA, CNBC, 15 Feb. 2025