scrutinize
Americanverb (used with object)
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scrutinizes,
present (3rd person singular)
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scrutinized,
past participle, past
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scrutinizing
present participle
verb (used without object)
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scrutinizes,
present (3rd person singular)
-
scrutinized,
past participle, past
-
scrutinizing
present participle
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 push reflects the restaurant chain’s effort to capture more group dining occasions as inflation-weary consumers scrutinize spending.
From Barron's ● Oct. 13, 2026
But in her candidate statement, Hawks said she would use the treasurer’s oversight role to scrutinize how taxpayer money is managed, advocate for responsible investing and push for greater accountability over state finances.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 1, 2026
But each proposed investment should stand on its merits, and rapid technological change is itself a reason to scrutinize long-term technology investments.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 25, 2026
The platform, which has millions of users, is particularly popular among kids, which has prompted regulators to scrutinize its safety.
From Barron's ● Sep. 11, 2026
I scrutinize the house, but there’s nothing to see.
From "The Girl on the Train" by Paula Hawkins
The Times looks back at a devastating year, scrutinizes official response and makes the case for being better prepared next time.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 7, 2026
She scrutinizes every element of her tour looking for ways to be more environmentally conscious.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 29, 2025
Meanwhile, an explosion of popular literature scrutinizes those rules and places white people’s elevated status in sharp relief.
From Salon ● Aug. 18, 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 know, dearest, and it wasn’t very polite,” Hector says as he guides her closer to the chair, where the man scrutinizes her with eyes that are almost as light and grey as his suit.
From "The Night Circus" by Erin Morgenstern
The note scrutinized four distinct channels by which AI might contribute to pricing pressures: software and accessories, consumer electronics, electricity prices and other cost spillovers like industrial metals and construction wage growth.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 14, 2026
The court has also been thrown into disarray as investigations have scrutinized links between several justices, their relatives or associates, and jailed, fraud-accused banker Daniel Vorcaro.
From Barron's ● Sep. 28, 2026
While that is accurate, statements like this make the conflict seem normal and perhaps unavoidable, rather than the result of a linked set of decisions that might themselves be scrutinized.
From Salon ● Sep. 19, 2026
Ohtani’s health has been scrutinized for much of the season and even more over the last week.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 3, 2026
He picked up the two matches and scrutinized them carefully.
From "Murder on the Orient Express" by Agatha Christie
The 30-year-old curator at the Art Gallery of Ontario had been scrutinizing a portrait of a young Black woman bedecked in jewels and wearing a shimmering blue gown with pearls around her neck and wrists.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 26, 2026
But unlike the show it’s scrutinizing, “Primetime” lets its prey walk free.
From Salon ● Sep. 26, 2026
The insurer backing one of his contracts, Clear Spring Life and Annuity, revealed this summer that federal prosecutors are scrutinizing its investment disclosures.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 14, 2026
The measure would also bring drones under the arms restriction regime and increase the number of experts scrutinizing the existing embargo.
From Barron's ● Aug. 24, 2026
When I returned to the library a moment later, Mr Cardinal was wandering around the shelves, scrutinizing spines.
From "The Remains of the Day" by Kazuo Ishiguro
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Get a wordDefinitions 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.
