scrutiny
noun
scru·ti·ny
ˈskrü-tə-nē 
ˈskrüt-nē
plural scrutinies
1
: a searching study, inquiry, or inspection : examination
2
: a searching look
3
: close watch : surveillance
Examples of scrutiny in a Sentence
the close scrutiny of data
I'd never faced that kind of scrutiny before.
Because of their past crimes, everything they do now will be subject to scrutiny.
Her opinion is based on a careful scrutiny of the text.
Recent Examples on the Web
Paramount Skydance likely won’t face as much scrutiny on antitrust grounds because Netflix already dominates the streaming market.
—
David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 25 Dec. 2025
In India’s rambunctious and frenetic political system, tinkering with the voter list attracts enormous scrutiny, and even litigation.
—Esha Mitra, CNN Money, 25 Dec. 2025
Since being hired by Ellison to lead CBS News, Weiss has drawn scrutiny over editorial decisions at the network, including the handling of politically sensitive stories.
—Ethan Varian, Mercury News, 24 Dec. 2025
Other autonomous vehicle developers face similar scrutiny.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 23 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for scrutiny
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David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 25 Dec. 2025
In India’s rambunctious and frenetic political system, tinkering with the voter list attracts enormous scrutiny, and even litigation.
—Esha Mitra, CNN Money, 25 Dec. 2025
Since being hired by Ellison to lead CBS News, Weiss has drawn scrutiny over editorial decisions at the network, including the handling of politically sensitive stories.
—Ethan Varian, Mercury News, 24 Dec. 2025
Other autonomous vehicle developers face similar scrutiny.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 23 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for scrutiny
Cite this Entry
“Scrutiny.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scrutiny. Accessed 1 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
scrutiny
noun
scru·ti·ny
ˈskrüt-ᵊn-ē
ˈskrüt-nē
plural scrutinies
: a close inspection : examination
Legal Definition
scrutiny
noun
scru·ti·ny
ˈskrüt-ᵊn-ē
plural scrutinies
: searching study or inquiry
specifically
: judicial investigation of the constitutionality of a statutory classification of persons under the equal protection clause of the U.S. Constitution see also intermediate sense 2, strict scrutiny compare rational basis test
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