inspect

verb

in·​spect in-ˈspekt How to pronounce inspect (audio)
inspected; inspecting; inspects
Synonyms of inspect

transitive verb

1
: to view closely in critical appraisal : look over
2
: to examine officially
inspects the barracks every Friday

intransitive verb

: to make an inspection
inspective
in-ˈspek-tiv How to pronounce inspect (audio)
adjective

Synonyms of inspect

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Choose the Right Synonym for inspect

scrutinize, scan, inspect, examine mean to look at or over.

scrutinize stresses close attention to minute detail.

scrutinized the hospital bill

scan implies a surveying from point to point often suggesting a cursory overall observation.

scanned the wine list

inspect implies scrutinizing for errors or defects.

inspected my credentials

examine suggests a scrutiny in order to determine the nature, condition, or quality of a thing.

examined the specimens

Examples of inspect in a Sentence

She had the car inspected by a mechanic before she bought it. The candles are inspected for damage before being packaged. After the storm, we went outside to inspect the damage. He inspected the soldiers' barracks. inspecting a restaurant for health code violations
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The city ordinarily inspects its infrastructure annually as part of its capital improvement planning process. — Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 30 Oct. 2026 Regulators inspected his clinic less than two weeks after the story ran on June 7. — Christy Gutowski, Chicago Tribune, 29 Oct. 2026 The man then alerted local archaeological authorities, who inspected the site and uncovered the remains of two statues during subsequent excavations, ministry officials said. — Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 28 Oct. 2026 Having your gutter system inspected and repaired before winter will also reduce the risk of ice dams forming inside the gutters. — Timothy Dale, The Spruce, 28 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for inspect

Word History

Etymology

Latin inspectus, past participle of inspicere, from in- + specere to look — more at spy

First Known Use

circa 1623, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of inspect was circa 1623

Rhymes for inspect

See All Rhymes for inspect

Browse Nearby Words

in specie
inspect
inspectable
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Inspect.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inspect. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.

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Kids Definition

inspect

verb
in·​spect in-ˈspekt How to pronounce inspect (audio)
1
: to examine closely (as for judging quality or condition)
inspect meat
2
: to view and examine officially
inspect the troops

Legal Definition

inspect

transitive verb
in·​spect
1
: to view closely and critically
2
: to examine officially
inspect the facility for code violations

intransitive verb

: to make an inspection
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