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
Kimmel's suspension has sparked widespread outcry throughout the entertainment industry and scrutiny among Democratic politicians.
—
Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 19 Sep. 2025
Kirk’s assassination renews scrutiny The records’ release comes one week after Kirk was assassinated during an event at Utah Valley University, an act that officials say was politically motivated.
—Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 18 Sep. 2025
Network adequacy calculations become fiction, exposing organizations to regulatory scrutiny and market access restrictions.
—Tammy Hawes, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
The movie becomes a meta-commentary on Bollywood itself, forcing the characters to confront their personal and professional lives under intense scrutiny, while offering audiences a dramatized version of the events that have unfolded throughout the series.
—Isadora Wandermurem, Time, 18 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for scrutiny
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Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 19 Sep. 2025
Kirk’s assassination renews scrutiny The records’ release comes one week after Kirk was assassinated during an event at Utah Valley University, an act that officials say was politically motivated.
—Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 18 Sep. 2025
Network adequacy calculations become fiction, exposing organizations to regulatory scrutiny and market access restrictions.
—Tammy Hawes, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
The movie becomes a meta-commentary on Bollywood itself, forcing the characters to confront their personal and professional lives under intense scrutiny, while offering audiences a dramatized version of the events that have unfolded throughout the series.
—Isadora Wandermurem, Time, 18 Sep. 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 19 Sep. 2025.
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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