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

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

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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 Then came Walter’s stunning decision to sell, one that came as federal investigators were, and are, scrutinizing parts of Walter’s sprawling business network. — Melody Gutierrez, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026 Some might conclude my actions were scrutinized especially closely by a landowner with a score to settle. — Andrew McKean, Outdoor Life, 26 Aug. 2026 The film also scrutinizes the failures across policing, the courts and social institutions that critics say let his abuse persist largely undetected for so long. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 25 Aug. 2026 German consumers, in her account, scrutinize ingredients and health claims more closely than most, while British consumers respond more to emotion and nostalgia. — Sam Birchall, Fortune, 25 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for scrutinize

Recent Examples of Synonyms for scrutinize

Verb

Movie night this past week was Taylor Sheridan’s Wind River, an absolutely devastating neo-Western that examines the injustice many Native American women face on and off the reservation.

— Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
Now, in this new study, the international team examined the curious fossil under cross-polarized light, allowing more of its structure to be visible.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of examine

Verb

Internally, Newcastle reviewed the transfer to try to work out what actually happened.

— George Caulkin, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2026
The findings of the second report — which reviewed pretext stops by officers from other units in January — are expected to be presented at an upcoming commission meeting.

— Hailey Wang, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of review

Verb

While LinkedIn matchmakers are strictly prohibited under the platform’s guidelines, professional matchmakers recommend researching potential partners online, including scanning their LinkedIn profiles.

— Sarah Glodek, Fortune, 31 Aug. 2026
Many shuffled between the help desk and the hospital notice board, clutching photographs and scanning injured patients' lists in the hope of finding them.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of scan

Verb

In 2024, the Federal Trade Commission surveyed eight businesses that had advertised their use of AI and real-time data to determine prices, including Mastercard, JPMorgan Chase and retail pricing software companies.

— Audrey McGlinchy, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026
Roman is also designed to survey the universe a thousand times faster than Hubble, according to NASA.

— Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of survey

Browse Nearby Words

scrutinies

scrutinize

scrutinized

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“Scrutinize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scrutinize. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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