scrutiny

noun

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

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 TikTok has faced growing scrutiny over fears that user data could fall into the possession of the Chinese government and the app could be weaponized by China to spread misinformation. Max Zahn, ABC News, 19 Mar. 2024 Criminal trials involving Donald Trump Donald Trump is facing historic legal scrutiny for a former president. Devlin Barrett, Washington Post, 19 Mar. 2024 Kate Middleton has come under scrutiny once again for allegedly altering a family photo that was released by the palace. Angel Saunders, Peoplemag, 19 Mar. 2024 However, these popular products are facing scrutiny after Valisure, an independent laboratory testing the safety and purity of consumer products and pharmaceutical drugs, petitioned the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to recall benzoyl peroxide-containing acne products. Kayla Hui, Verywell Health, 18 Mar. 2024 On the one hand, Microsoft’s patronage of OpenAI is also under antitrust scrutiny in both the U.S. and Europe, so an OpenAI-Apple deal could be quite useful in demonstrating that Sam Altman’s company is not effectively a Microsoft unit. David Meyer, Fortune, 18 Mar. 2024 The discovery of the missing panel comes as United faces scrutiny over a string of incidents with different aircraft, including an engine that ingested bubblewrap and caught fire midair, and another flight that lost a tire after takeoff. Pete Muntean, CNN, 16 Mar. 2024 The campaign to ban TikTok deserves close scrutiny, covering such issues as who’s really behind it and why this platform is taking more heat from lawmakers than all other social media platforms put together. Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 14 Mar. 2024 But that corporate comeback might not hold up to scrutiny. Damian Garde, STAT, 13 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'scrutiny.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Dictionary Entries Near scrutiny

Cite this Entry

“Scrutiny.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scrutiny. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on scrutiny

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!