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.
While some analysts said other companies could also express interest in Brown-Forman, they also raised the prospect of pushback by the Brown family and of antitrust scrutiny.
From MarketWatch • Apr. 9, 2026
India's aviation sector is facing pressure from rising costs, disrupted international routes due to the conflict in the Middle East, aircraft delivery delays and tighter regulatory scrutiny.
From BBC • Apr. 7, 2026
Whether you are an A.I. optimist or pessimist, you’d ideally agree that few industries have ever screamed out more for intense scrutiny at a particular moment than generative A.I. does right now.
From Slate • Apr. 7, 2026
The homicide investigation by Horry County police is now under scrutiny by a special prosecutor, and a state grand jury is reviewing evidence of alleged police misconduct.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 5, 2026
Once again Mary Anne crossed the room under the careful scrutiny of her mother’s gaze.
From "The Great Santini" by Pat Conroy
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.
