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
Congressional Black Caucus scholarships face legal scrutiny The Congressional Black Caucus is being called out by an anti-affirmative action group, which is suing over college scholarships for Black students from underfunded schools.
—
Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 3 Apr. 2026
Ring faced further scrutiny when the Federal Trade Commission investigated the company in 2023 after employees illegally surveilled customers and accessed footage without authorization.
—Ryan MacAsero, Mercury News, 3 Apr. 2026
In an 8-1 decision, the judges sent the case back to a lower court for a higher level of judicial scrutiny, which will likely result in the ban being overturned.
—Theresa Gaffney, STAT, 3 Apr. 2026
The bank helped Epstein avoid scrutiny from financial regulators while profiting from his business, according to Doe and her lawyers.
—Chase Jordan
april 3, Charlotte Observer, 3 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for scrutiny
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Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 3 Apr. 2026
Ring faced further scrutiny when the Federal Trade Commission investigated the company in 2023 after employees illegally surveilled customers and accessed footage without authorization.
—Ryan MacAsero, Mercury News, 3 Apr. 2026
In an 8-1 decision, the judges sent the case back to a lower court for a higher level of judicial scrutiny, which will likely result in the ban being overturned.
—Theresa Gaffney, STAT, 3 Apr. 2026
The bank helped Epstein avoid scrutiny from financial regulators while profiting from his business, according to Doe and her lawyers.
—Chase Jordan
april 3, Charlotte Observer, 3 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for scrutiny
Cite this Entry
“Scrutiny.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scrutiny. Accessed 5 Apr. 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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