scrutiny

noun

scru·​ti·​ny ˈskrü-tə-nē How to pronounce scrutiny (audio)
ˈskrüt-nē
plural scrutinies
Synonyms of scrutiny
1
: a searching study, inquiry, or inspection : examination
2
: a searching look
3
: close watch : surveillance

Synonyms of scrutiny

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Examples of scrutiny in a Sentence

the close scrutiny of data I'd never faced that kind of scrutiny before. Because of their past crimes, everything they do now will be subject to scrutiny. Her opinion is based on a careful scrutiny of the text.
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.
As technology companies become increasingly valuable, executives are facing greater scrutiny over how that wealth should benefit the public. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 26 Oct. 2026 Legal liability related to the misuse of AI models is under increasing scrutiny amid capability gains from frontier systems over the past year. — Ashley Capoot,jordan Novet,annie Palmer,lora Kolodny,kai Nicol-Schwarz,caleigh Keating, CNBC, 26 Oct. 2026 That leaves the system deciding which parts of its own work get scrutiny. — Swapnil Upganlawar, Forbes.com, 26 Oct. 2026 Like other tech giants, Microsoft is spending hundreds of billions of dollars on AI data centers and chips, drawing scrutiny from investors over whether the returns will justify the staggering cost. — Reuters, NBC news, 26 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for scrutiny

Word History

Etymology

Latin scrutinium, from scrutari to search, examine, probably from scruta trash

First Known Use

1604, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of scrutiny was in 1604

Phrases Containing scrutiny

Rhymes for scrutiny

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Browse Nearby Words

scrutinous
scrutiny
scrutoire
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Cite this Entry

“Scrutiny.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scrutiny. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

scrutiny

noun
scru·​ti·​ny ˈskrüt-ᵊn-ē How to pronounce scrutiny (audio)
ˈskrüt-nē
plural scrutinies
: a close inspection : examination

Legal Definition

scrutiny

noun
scru·​ti·​ny ˈskrüt-ᵊn-ē How to pronounce scrutiny (audio)
plural scrutinies
: searching study or inquiry
specifically : judicial investigation of the constitutionality of a statutory classification of persons under the equal protection clause of the U.S. Constitution see also intermediate sense 2, strict scrutiny compare rational basis test
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