scrutiny

American  

[skroot-n-ee] / ˈskrut n i /

noun

plural

scrutinies

1. a searching examination or investigation; minute inquiry.

2. surveillance; close and continuous watching or guarding.

3. a close and searching look.

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scrutiny British  

/ ˈskruːtɪnɪ /

noun

1. close or minute examination

2. a searching look

3. 1. (in the early Christian Church) a formal testing that catechumens had to undergo before being baptized

   2. a similar examination of candidates for holy orders

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Related Words

See examination.

Other Word Forms

• nonscrutiny noun
• rescrutiny noun
• self-scrutiny noun

Etymology

Origin of scrutiny

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Latin scrūtinium “a search, inquiry, investigation,” derivative of scrūtārī “to search thoroughly”

Example Sentences

Valentina Vee, 33, a director and cinematographer based in Los Angeles, posted a thread on X speculating on the show’s lighting setup based on scrutiny of images she could find online from behind the scenes.

From The Wall Street Journal

That payout has now come under scrutiny after a Times investigation found that some plaintiffs had been paid to join the class action lawsuit.

From Los Angeles Times

Mueller’s legacy rests not just in the headlines or indictments, but in the principle that even the most powerful figures are subject to scrutiny.

From Salon

Reform has definitely moved into a different era from their heady ascent in the polls last year, grappling with more scrutiny, as we reported on in our documentary, Reform: Ready to Rule?

From BBC

Now, lawyers and lobbyists representing companies under scrutiny by antitrust regulators regularly make their arguments directly to senior DOJ officials.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• analysis
• audit
• inquiry
• inspection
• investigation
• review
• search
• surveillance