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scan

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noun

Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of scan are examine, inspect, and scrutinize. While all these words mean "to look at or over," scan implies a surveying from point to point often suggesting a cursory overall observation.

scanned the wine list

When is it sensible to use examine instead of scan?

The words examine and scan can be used in similar contexts, but 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 scan?

The meanings of inspect and scan largely overlap; however, inspect implies scrutinizing for errors or defects.

inspected my credentials

When could scrutinize be used to replace scan?

In some situations, the words scrutinize and scan are roughly equivalent. However, 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 scan
Verb
There, guests spend their days scanning the dizzying cliff sides for puffins, guillemots, and razorbills, and their nights scanning the sky for signs of the aurora. Bailey Berg, AFAR Media, 15 Apr. 2025 The Israeli soldiers detaining them later questioned the paramedics, asking them for their names, ages and ID card numbers, and appeared to scan their faces with a device Mr. Abed did not recognize, Mr. Abed said. Vivian Yee, New York Times, 13 Apr. 2025
Noun
This image provided by the U.S. National Archives shows a scan of a photo of a Japanese Zero fighter plane hitting the USS Missouri in waters off Okinawa, Japan on April 11, 1945. CBS News, 11 Apr. 2025 The scan shows there is a broken porthole that could account for those reports. ArsTechnica, 10 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for scan
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scan
Verb
  • Investigators also examined two exemplar helicopters, according to the statement.
    Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 13 Apr. 2025
  • Forensic investigators will examine the findings for signs of trauma, injury and a cause of death.
    Dawn Klavon, People.com, 13 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Since then, Kluge has failed a subsequent inspection and faces two additional citations for his dogs escaping and inciting fear in neighbors.
    Noelle Alviz-Gransee, Kansas City Star, 23 Apr. 2025
  • However, those areas were closed again on April 7 after failing another inspection.
    Stephanie Lam, Mercury News, 23 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The creation of this content included the use of AI based on templates created, reviewed and edited by journalists in the newsroom.
    CA WILDFIRE BOT, Sacbee.com, 15 Apr. 2025
  • Satellite images reviewed by ABC News show the north of the same village being cleared by the IDF in October 2024, where crops and buildings are seen destroyed.
    Kerem Inal, ABC News, 14 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • That account, however, could open him up for the first time to cross examination on the witness stand.
    Julia Prodis Sulek, Mercury News, 25 Apr. 2025
  • Indeed, the true subject of the film’s examination turns out to be Nina herself, a doctor whose steady, unfailingly professional surface barely conceals self-lacerating anguish.
    Justin Chang, New Yorker, 25 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The good news is the vast majority of people still have confidence in the safety of the measles vaccine, says Liz Hamel, director of public opinion and survey research at KFF, a nonprofit health policy research organization which conducted the poll.
    Maria Godoy, NPR, 23 Apr. 2025
  • In South Africa, an overwhelming majority of executives surveyed want their country to phase out coal from electricity generation in the next decade.
    María Mendiluce, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Regularly audit and update training materials to keep them fresh and aligned with strategy.
    Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 17 Apr. 2025
  • The upside for high earners is clear: Fewer agents means fewer audits and reviews.
    Robert Frank, CNBC, 17 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Image While inspecting a villa in Rome, an electrician opened a trap door, and then another.
    Justin Porter, New York Times, 22 Apr. 2025
  • According to the report compiled by the Star-Telegram, 387 restaurants were inspected between March 30 and April 12.
    Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Hegseth faces scrutiny after reports of second Signal chat with sensitive information Hegseth shared Yemen attack plans with wife, brother and lawyer: Reports 'Bombs started falling': Why is the 'SignalGate' controversy exploding?
    Bart Jansen, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2025
  • The joke was a nod to the discussion around Biden’s cognitive decline toward the end of his presidency, which has been the subject of political scrutiny renewed in recent headlines.
    Heather Hunter, The Washington Examiner, 21 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Scan.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scan. Accessed 29 Apr. 2025.

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