WordValescrutinize
to examine closely and critically
to examine closely
In more detail
1. (verb) to examine something very carefully and in detail
2. (verb) to look at someone or something very carefully, often in a way that makes them feel uncomfortable
Examples
- 1. The auditors will scrutinize the company's financial records to find any errors.
- 2. The teacher scrutinized the student's face to see if they understood the lesson.
How to use scrutinize
Scrutinize emphasizes detailed, close examination often with the intention of finding faults or flaws, and can carry a sense of wariness or suspicion. It is more formal and thorough than casual looking, and when directed at a person, may imply an uncomfortable or penetrating gaze. It is commonly used in academic, professional, and investigative contexts.
Common phrases
- scrutinize carefully
- scrutinize the evidence
- scrutinize a document
- under scrutiny
- close scrutiny
Synonyms
examine · inspect · study · analyze · peruse
Opposites
ignore · overlook · glance
Word family
scrutiny (noun) · scrutinizing (adjective) · scrutinizer (noun)
A common mistake
Learners sometimes use scrutinize as a simple synonym for 'look at' or 'see' in contexts where a more neutral verb like examine or observe would be more appropriate, forgetting the connotation of intense, critical examination.
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