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

Medicaid scrutiny would also apply if your brother sold the home at or below the fair market value.

From MarketWatch

“When the concentration gets very high, there is a lot more scrutiny on that specific name or sector,” he says.

From The Wall Street Journal

It is supposed to be the busiest time of year for the Roadies trucking company, but dozens of its trucks sit idle — unlikely casualties of a surprise scrutiny of laborers from India.

From Los Angeles Times

But it also came under repeated scrutiny over how it obtained financial donations from members and its links to politicians.

From Barron's

The faith in the ability of this trio to instigate and implement change is under scrutiny with question marks over their futures.

From BBC

Related Words

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