1
Examine evidence
Inspect details carefully for reliability.
Example
Reviewers scrutinized the calculations before publication.
scrutinize
/ˈskruːtɪnaɪz/ · SKROO-tih-nyzeverb
To examine something very closely and critically.
Use scrutinize when the context supports this precise sense: to examine something very closely and critically.
What scrutinize Really Means
The word becomes easier to use when its closely related senses are separated and compared.
2
Evaluate conduct
Investigate actions or decisions critically.
Example
The committee will scrutinize the agency’s spending.
3
Inspect an object
Look closely for small features or flaws.
Example
Conservators scrutinized the canvas under ultraviolet light.
Use scrutinize Naturally
Notice how the surrounding noun or clause reveals the exact shade of meaning.
Reviewers scrutinized the calculations before publication.
The committee will scrutinize the agency’s spending.
Conservators scrutinized the canvas under ultraviolet light.
Precision Matters
Scrutinize overlaps with several common words, but each carries a different emphasis.
scrutinize
vs.Means to examine something very closely and critically.
survey
Means examine broadly or collect information systematically.
scrutinize
vs.Means to examine something very closely and critically.
glance
Means look quickly or briefly.
scrutinize
vs.Means to examine something very closely and critically.
validate
Means support the truth, accuracy, or value of something.
scrutinize
vs.Means to examine something very closely and critically.
inspect
Means examine carefully.
Test scrutinize in Context
They must examine the procedure closely and critically.
1
Before accepting the surprising result, the reviewers will ___ every stage of the experiment for hidden sources of error.