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

It also suggested a need for stronger scrutiny of decisions and of the people making them.

Read more on BBC

Kyrgyzstan said Tuesday it had arrested the Chinese CEO of a gold mining firm accused of causing "large-scale" environmental damage, amid growing public scrutiny over Beijing's influence in the Central Asian country.

Read more on Barron's

“That is exactly what the authorities do not want to see, as they have just tightened scrutiny on product quality and safety,” they say.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The first three districts to fall under scrutiny of the House Committee on Education and Workforce are the Berkeley Unified School District, Fairfax County Public Schools in Virginia and the School District of Philadelphia.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The BBC apologised for the edit after the leaked memo triggered public scrutiny and criticism from the White House more than a year after it had first been broadcast.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

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