scrutiny

American  

[skroot-n-ee] / ˈskrut n i /

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.

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scrutiny British  

/ 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

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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

"There's also a much broader principle at stake here. No one, regardless of their title or their friends, should be beyond the scrutiny of Parliament," he added.

From BBC

The stock’s after-hours move follows a 61% decline over the past 12 months, as the company deals with greater legal and regulatory scrutiny over the weight-loss drugs sold on its platform.

From MarketWatch

The episode echoed some of the same concerns that drew U.S. scrutiny in 2023, when prosecutors secured a plea deal with the world’s largest crypto exchange and a prison sentence for Zhao.

From The Wall Street Journal

More recently, wealth managers, insurance brokers, and property service firms have come under scrutiny External link for their vulnerability to AI.

From Barron's

Still, the proliferation of funds that look more like a gamble than a diversified investment are drawing scrutiny from traditional players in the industry.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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