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

Prince Andrew's links with Epstein have been under intense scrutiny in recent weeks.

Read more on BBC

But on Thursday, the government refused to give MPs time to debate the prince's titles or his home, despite growing pressure for scrutiny.

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The cloud-computing businesses of all the Big Tech companies will be under careful scrutiny this week as companies report, as analysts regard the business segment as an important bellwether of AI monetization.

Read more on MarketWatch

The scrutiny around Isak’s death has added distraction to the grief already felt by Mango employees and executives, people close to the company say.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The biggest points of scrutiny levelled at Connolly throughout the campaign focused on her views on foreign policy and the Israel/Hamas conflict.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

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