scrutinize

[skroot-n-ahyz]

See more synonyms for scrutinize on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object), scru·ti·nized, scru·ti·niz·ing.

to examine in detail with careful or critical attention.

verb (used without object), scru·ti·nized, scru·ti·niz·ing.

to conduct a scrutiny.

Also especially British, scru·ti·nise.

Origin of scrutinize

First recorded in 1665–75; scrutin(y) + -ize

Related formsscru·ti·ni·za·tion, nounscru·ti·niz·er, nounscru·ti·niz·ing·ly, adverbre·scru·ti·nize, verb (used with object), re·scru·ti·nized, re·scru·ti·niz·ing.self-scru·ti·nized, adjectiveself-scru·ti·niz·ing, adjectiveun·scru·ti·nized, adjectiveun·scru·ti·niz·ing, adjectiveun·scru·ti·niz·ing·ly, adverb

Synonyms for scrutinize

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1, 2. investigate, study, search.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for scrutinize

inspect, consider, scan, peruse, dissect, probe, watch, explore, investigate, comb, sift, weigh, analyze, check, case, stare, search, study, overlook, pierce

Examples from the Web for scrutinize

Contemporary Examples of scrutinize

The NCAA likes to scrutinize and monitor their chattel in the event that money flows their way from outside jobs.
NCAA Championship: The Shame Behind the Game
Evan Weiner
April 8, 2013
She lost her actual sight at the moment she was ready to scrutinize herself.
Blindness as a Way of Seeing: Candia McWilliam’s Powerful Memoir
Lucy Scholes
April 6, 2012
There is little sign that Beijing has the appetite to scrutinize its own policy errors, though some in China have pointed the way.
Obama Stands Up to China
Isabel Hilton
February 16, 2010
Others will scrutinize the menu, the décor, and the floral arrangements.
Behind the Scenes at the State Dinner
Anita McBride
November 25, 2009
When the police arrived it was to scrutinize and remove the Richard Prince.
For Lust and Money
Anthony Haden-Guest
October 15, 2009

Historical Examples of scrutinize

He is expected to see and to sing, not to scrutinize and meditate.
The Book of Old English Ballads
George Wharton Edwards
Calhoun was able to scrutinize her without appearing to do so, and he was satisfied again.
Pariah Planet
Murray Leinster
Mr. Green's small eyes continued to scrutinize Leduc at intervals.
The Lion's Skin
Rafael Sabatini
With some reserve, which we must not scrutinize, he began with the political object.
Roland Cashel
Charles James Lever
I had time enough to scrutinize their faces as they came out.
Debts of Honor
Maurus Jkai

British Dictionary definitions for scrutinize

scrutinize

scrutinise

verb

(tr) to examine carefully or in minute detail

Derived Formsscrutinizer or scrutiniser, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for scrutinize

1670s, from scrutiny + -ize. Related: Scrutinized; scrutinizing. Earlier verb was scrutine (1590s), from French.