scrutiny

[skroot-n-ee]

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.

scrutiny

/ 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

Other Word Forms

• nonscrutiny noun
• rescrutiny noun
• self-scrutiny noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of scrutiny¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of scrutiny¹

C15: from Late Latin scrūtinium an investigation, from scrūtārī to search (originally referring to rag-and-bone men), from scrūta rubbish

Synonym Study

See examination.

Example Sentences

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

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

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OpenAI has come under scrutiny for its central role in a complex web of AI financing.

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England have come under heavy scrutiny for the manner and response to their crushing defeat by Australia in the first Ashes Test.

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Investors are exhibiting more scrutiny around artificial-intelligence players, and that has led to some pain in the technology sector during the month of November.

Read more on MarketWatch

Related Words

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