scrutiny

en
en
Change language
Translating...
Find language
Français
French
Русский
Russian
Español
Spanish
Deutsch
German
Português
Portuguese
/ˈskruːtəni/
Add to My Dictionary
In My Dictionary
+1
Close critical examination, especially when evidence, conduct, public decisions, or laws are being tested.

Examples

  • Her argument became stronger after weeks of scrutiny.
  • The athlete's medical exemption came under scrutiny before the final.
  • The merger remained under antitrust scrutiny for nearly a year.
  • A law affecting a fundamental right may face strict scrutiny.
  • The painting was examined under intense scrutiny.

Similar words

analysis
watch
vetting
audit
audit
monitoring
judicial review
study
attention
examination

Meanings

Close examination

noun
analysis
formal
Careful and detailed examination of something in order to understand it, test it, or find faults.

Examples

  • The audit put every expense under scrutiny.
  • The scientist's results did not survive close scrutiny.
  • The contract deserves careful scrutiny before anyone signs it.
  • Her argument became stronger after weeks of scrutiny.
  • The painting was examined under intense scrutiny.
  • The software underwent security scrutiny before release.

Similar words

Public attention

noun
media
neutral
Intense attention from the public, media, or institutions, often because a person or decision may be judged or criticized.

Examples

  • The mayor faced public scrutiny after the leaked emails.
  • Social media brought new scrutiny to the company's hiring practices.
  • The athlete's medical exemption came under scrutiny before the final.
  • Journalists kept the spending plan under scrutiny for months.
  • The charity welcomed scrutiny of its finances.
  • Online scrutiny can spread faster than a formal investigation.

Similar words

Etymology

From Latin scrutinium, meaning a search or inquiry, from scrutari, to search thoroughly.

FAQ

What does scrutiny mean?

Scrutiny means close, careful, and often critical examination.

What does under scrutiny mean?

Under scrutiny means being closely watched, examined, or questioned.

Is scrutiny a verb?

No. Scrutiny is a noun. The verb is scrutinize.

What is public scrutiny?

Public scrutiny is close attention from the public or media, often after a controversy or important decision.

What is strict scrutiny?

Strict scrutiny is a demanding U.S. constitutional test used for some laws affecting fundamental rights or suspect classifications.

What are synonyms for scrutiny?

Synonyms include examination, inspection, analysis, review, audit, and investigation.

What is the opposite of scrutiny?

Opposites include neglect, inattention, disregard, and sometimes privacy.

Where does scrutiny come from?

Scrutiny comes from Latin scrutinium, meaning a search or inquiry.

Is scrutiny always negative?

No. Scrutiny can be neutral or useful, but it often feels critical because it looks for problems.

Comments & contributions

Know this word from another angle? Add a correction, a nuance, or a usage note. New posts go public after a quick review.
Posting as a guest · Sign in
No comments yet. Be the first to add one.
Look up word or phrase...