scrutinize
Americanverb (used with object)
verb (used without object)
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:
As stock volatility has increased, especially in sectors like semiconductors that have heavy leveraged-fund and options activity, analysts have started to scrutinize the role leverage is playing.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 29, 2026
Donabedian expects investors to scrutinize the CPI, especially in the wake of energy price spikes related to the Iran war.
From Barron's ● Jun. 5, 2026
Our legal system seems well prepared to scrutinize and punish their acts of self-preservation instead of examining the circumstances that made those acts necessary.
From Slate ● Jun. 4, 2026
I care about L.A. enough to hold its leaders to a higher accountability, and to scrutinize posers and pretenders who think they can do a better job.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 30, 2026
It was to scrutinize such questions as these that we undertook a dissection.
From "The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume I: The Pox Party" by M.T. Anderson
The probe is the first into a Chinese deal under the EU’s Foreign Subsidies Regulation, which scrutinizes non-EU government support.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 28, 2026
And instead of simply presenting these characters to an audience, as “Death of a Unicorn” does, the series scrutinizes them.
From Salon ● Apr. 4, 2025
With packaged products, Antoci scrutinizes every ingredient profile.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 2, 2024
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
He scrutinizes me for what feels like a very long time.
From "Water for Elephants" by Sara Gruen
Messrs. Petro and Cepeda immediately called for the count to be scrutinized.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 19, 2026
From the beginning, the victims were scrutinized on the chance they might provide a motive.
From Slate ● Jul. 7, 2026
When she scrutinized his Facebook page, which has since been taken down, she noticed the account was based in Nigeria.
From Barron's ● Jul. 3, 2026
Austin Reaves, the most beloved Laker, became the most scrutinized Laker on Wednesday with the news that he agreed to a maximum four-year, $185-million contract to remain with the team.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 24, 2026
Safety had always been key, but after the Apollo 1 AS-204 disaster, we scrutinized our efforts to make sure that everything would be as safe as possible.
From "Reaching for the Moon" by Katherine Johnson
Wall Street is scrutinizing their business performance more closely than ever ahead of their market debuts.
From Barron's ● Jul. 24, 2026
Coke instructed its technicians to conduct regular quality reviews of McDonald’s equipment, scrutinizing everything from temperature to carbonation levels.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 13, 2026
But it’s clear, at least, that the administration is scrutinizing current elections closely.
From Salon ● Jun. 12, 2026
The job: The city controller serves as L.A.’s chief auditor and watchdog of the public purse, including scrutinizing how money is spent and whether City Hall is performing efficiently.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 31, 2026
My hair ruffled with the light breeze, Edward stiffened, and the second male, James, suddenly whipped his head around, scrutinizing me, his nostrils flaring.
From "Twilight" by Stephenie Meyer
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.
