scrutiny
Americannoun
plural
scrutinies-
a searching examination or investigation; minute inquiry.
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surveillance; close and continuous watching or guarding.
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a close and searching look.
noun
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close or minute examination
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a searching look
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(in the early Christian Church) a formal testing that catechumens had to undergo before being baptized
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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
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“There is clearly more scrutiny on data center development,” he added.
From Barron's • Apr. 2, 2026
The relationship between England and the counties has come under scrutiny following this winter's Ashes defeat and England and Wales Cricket Board managing director Rob Key has spoken about wanting to improve relations.
From BBC • Apr. 2, 2026
In a recent meeting, Indiana’s top Medicaid official warned autism-therapy providers to self-report any abuse under the old system or risk facing federal scrutiny, officials and autism therapy providers said.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 1, 2026
Carney, an anglophone who grew up in western Canada, notably laboured to improve his French before running for prime minister last year, and his French ability was the subject of some scrutiny.
From BBC • Mar. 31, 2026
And when it came to the mounting scrutiny of me, I was tired of being defenseless, tired of being seen as someone altogether different from the person I was.
From "Becoming" by Michelle Obama
Definitions 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.
