SCRUTINIZE Synonyms: 37 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'scrutinize' different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of scrutinize are examine , inspect , and scan . While all these words mean "to look at or over," scrutinize stresses close attention to minute detail. // scrutinized the hospital bill

Q: When might 'examine' be a better fit than 'scrutinize'?

The words examine and scrutinize are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, examine suggests a scrutiny in order to determine the nature, condition, or quality of a thing. // examined the specimens

Q: When is 'inspect' a more appropriate choice than 'scrutinize'?

The words inspect and scrutinize can be used in similar contexts, but inspect implies scrutinizing for errors or defects. // inspected my credentials

Q: When could 'scan' be used to replace 'scrutinize'?

In some situations, the words scan and scrutinize are roughly equivalent. However, scan implies a surveying from point to point often suggesting a cursory overall observation. // scanned the wine list

scrutinize

verb

ˈskrü-tə-ˌnīz

Definition of scrutinize next

as in to examine

to look over closely (as for judging quality or condition) the project's time constraints make it impossible for the programmers to scrutinize every line of code, so some bugs should be expected

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of scrutinize are examine, inspect, and scan. While all these words mean "to look at or over," scrutinize stresses close attention to minute detail.

scrutinized the hospital bill

When might examine be a better fit than scrutinize?

The words examine and scrutinize are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, examine suggests a scrutiny in order to determine the nature, condition, or quality of a thing.

examined the specimens

When is inspect a more appropriate choice than scrutinize?

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

inspected my credentials

When could scan be used to replace scrutinize?

In some situations, the words scan and scrutinize are roughly equivalent. However, scan implies a surveying from point to point often suggesting a cursory overall observation.

scanned the wine list

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 scrutinize Those investments have raised eyebrows in Congress, with some Democrats aiming to scrutinize the younger Trumps' deals for potential insider trading or conflicts of interest. —

Garrett Downs, CNBC, 2 July 2026 Her outspoken actions continued as the Reagan administration scrutinized her show and other adult programming. —

Kalia Richardson, USA Today, 1 July 2026 Neither Swift nor Kelce has publicly commented on the latest wedding rumors, but that hasn't stopped fans from scrutinizing every potential clue. —

Tracy Wright, FOXNews.com, 1 July 2026 Chris Long no doubt will be scrutinized and questioned as of being put before City Council’s Finance, Governance and Public Safety Committee on Tuesday morning. —

Kansas City Star, 30 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for scrutinize

Recent Examples of Synonyms for scrutinize

Verb

Link to earlier discovery The new findings come less than a year after Perseverance examined a rock called Cheyava Falls, which scientists described as one of the most intriguing samples collected on Mars.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 25 June 2026
Take a couple of minutes to examine one testicle at a time.

— Dr. Jamin Brahmbhatt, CNN Money, 25 June 2026

Definition of examine

Verb

The court declined, however, to review a challenge to a federal ban on handgun sales to 18- to 20-year-olds, as well as to a similar Florida state law.

— Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 1 July 2026
The creation of this content included the use of AI based on templates created, reviewed and edited by journalists in the newsroom.

— NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 1 July 2026

Definition of review

Verb

The restaurant received a score of 68 and has since been re-inspected and cleared to open.

— Mary Ella Hastings July 3, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 July 2026
The Venezuelan College of Engineers (CIV) has launched emergency training sessions for engineers, architects and technical specialists who will inspect damaged structures and determine whether they can be repaired or must be demolished.

— Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 4 July 2026

Definition of inspect

Verb

Roman will pair a large field of view with crisp infrared vision to survey deep, vast swaths of sky.

— Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 June 2026
Nearly 40% of data center operators surveyed by the Uptime Institute in 2022 experienced an outage caused by human error, mostly from employees not following proper procedure.

— Thomas Berndorfer, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026