examine

verb

ig-ˈza-mən How to pronounce examine (audio)
Definition of examinenext
1
as in to interrogate
to put a series of questions to the defense attorney was eager to examine her star witness

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in to inspect
to look over closely (as for judging quality or condition) the customer painstakingly examined the antique piece of furniture from top to bottom before purchasing it

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to explore
to search through or into a groundbreaking study that examined the causes of juvenile delinquency

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word examine different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of examine are inspect, scan, and scrutinize. While all these words mean "to look at or over," examine suggests a scrutiny in order to determine the nature, condition, or quality of a thing.

examined the specimens

When would inspect be a good substitute for examine?

The words inspect and examine can be used in similar contexts, but inspect implies scrutinizing for errors or defects.

inspected my credentials

In what contexts can scan take the place of examine?

The meanings of scan and examine largely overlap; however, scan implies a surveying from point to point often suggesting a cursory overall observation.

scanned the wine list

When is scrutinize a more appropriate choice than examine?

Although the words scrutinize and examine have much in common, scrutinize stresses close attention to minute detail.

scrutinized the hospital bill

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of examine In the new work, Milton and her colleagues examined the ratio of different isotopes—forms of atoms with differing numbers of uncharged neutrons in their nucleus—of carbon, nitrogen and sulfur in maize cobs archaeologists had uncovered from the Chincha Valley. —Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 11 Feb. 2026 Next, examine California investment preferences in the state’s lower-cost locales compared to its costliest areas. —Jonathan Lansner, Oc Register, 11 Feb. 2026 The researchers examined the extent of this immune response in clinical trial participants. —Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 11 Feb. 2026 The state’s top prosecutor sent requests to examine documents tied to SEE Holding and Kaufman Solar LLC. —Nick Wooten, Dallas Morning News, 11 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for examine
Recent Examples of Synonyms for examine
  1. interrogate
  2. inspect
  3. explore
  4. question
  5. review
  6. investigate
  7. scan
  8. survey
Verb
  • Lubesnik is the one called to interrogate the first of several crime scenes in Crime 101, which will put him on an eventual collision course with Davis.
    — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 13 Feb. 2026
  • Moreover, sociology is one of the best empirical fields for interrogating the consequences of different values, for how ideas get built into institutions, for how social networks operate across domains.
    — Wendy Nelson Espeland, Mercury News, 11 Feb. 2026
Definition of interrogate
Verb
  • There is so much global trade that fewer than 1 in 10 international cargo shipments of any kind are physically inspected.
    — Eve Bohnett, Fortune, 8 Feb. 2026
  • Under the court’s direction, grand jurors are empowered to review records, evaluate government programs, inspect detention facilities and issue findings and recommendations that promote ethical, efficient and transparent governance.
    — Anne Gelhaus, Mercury News, 8 Feb. 2026
Definition of inspect
Verb
  • In this drama series, two friends recently divorced and widowed explore their new single lives with teenage children while questioning the possibility of a romantic future.
    — Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 8 Feb. 2026
  • The Lakers have an open roster spot and are actively exploring the buyout market to potentially strengthen their roster.
    — Broderick Turner, Los Angeles Times, 8 Feb. 2026
Definition of explore
Verb
  • In this drama series, two friends recently divorced and widowed explore their new single lives with teenage children while questioning the possibility of a romantic future.
    — Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 8 Feb. 2026
  • Police questioned Barbosa after Arzola’s arrest.
    — Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 7 Feb. 2026
Definition of question
Verb
  • The Premier League’s Key Match Incidents (KMI) panel, which reviews refereeing decisions, judged that he should have been sent off in both games against Brentford for fouls on Brazilian forward Igor Thiago.
    — Jay Harris, New York Times, 8 Feb. 2026
  • This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Rhode Island editor.
    — Staff Reports, The Providence Journal, 8 Feb. 2026
Definition of review
Verb
  • The cause of the wreck was not clear, but police were investigating.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 7 Feb. 2026
  • The Fort Worth Fire Department is investigating a fatal house fire on Friday night that left one dead, according to a news release from the agency.
    — Suryatapa Chakraborty, Dallas Morning News, 7 Feb. 2026
Definition of investigate
Verb
  • Fulton County has also confirmed that some ballots were scanned multiple times during the recount, the affidavit says.
    — Kate Brumback, Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2026
  • Cold storage facilities have long struggled to automate inventory management due to frost, airflow, condensation, and glare, all of which degrade conventional sensors and scanning systems.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 10 Feb. 2026
Definition of scan
Verb
  • More than six out of ten adults surveyed in January said the high court should uphold a lower court ruling limiting the president’s authority to impose tariffs.
    — Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 5 Feb. 2026
  • That’s significantly more than the 211,000 new applications that analysts surveyed by the data firm FactSet had forecast.
    — Matt Ott, Los Angeles Times, 5 Feb. 2026
Definition of survey

Browse Nearby Words

examinations
examine
examined
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Examine.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/examine. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on examine

Nglish: Translation of examine for Spanish Speakers

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