SCRUTINY Synonyms: 57 Similar and Opposite Words

scrutiny

noun

ˈskrü-tə-nē

Definition of scrutiny

as in inspection

a close look at or over someone or something in order to judge condition his performance on the football field is seemingly unaffected by the media's intense scrutiny of his tumultuous personal life

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in gaze

a fixed intent look began to squirm under the penetrating scrutiny of the judge

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of scrutiny Despite this scrutiny, the demon cave fish was discovered only recently and completely by chance. — Elizabeth Anne Brown, Scientific American, 2 Sep. 2026 Struggles against the power conference teams Madsen’s record against Power Four opponents will come under scrutiny this week. — Idaho Statesman, 2 Sep. 2026 Grande has long been subjected to intense scrutiny over her appearance. — Lianne Kolirin, CNN Money, 2 Sep. 2026 Continue reading … RAISING THE STEAKS — Beef price scrutiny hits grocery aisle as DOJ targets 8 major retailers. — FOXNews.com, 2 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for scrutiny

Recent Examples of Synonyms for scrutiny

Noun

First-ever restart As part of the restart process, Holtec carried out extensive inspections of the facility and equipment upgrades or refurbishments depending on the requirements.

— Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 1 Sep. 2026
Chinese subsidiaries manufacturing electric vehicles, security inspection equipment, and wind turbines in Europe have all been accused of competing unfairly with local firms by benefiting from Beijing’s subsidies.

— Chad P. Bown, Foreign Affairs, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of inspection

Noun

Winner of the Best Actress prize at Sarajevo after premiering in the Berlinale’s Perspectives section, the film has a bleak, unflinching gaze that sometimes skims the edges of shock-value miserablism.

— Beatrice Loayza, Variety, 30 Aug. 2026
Anton, whose gaze at the couple can only be described as wistful.

— Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of gaze

Noun

Bi-2212 now warrants closer examination under fusion-relevant radiation.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 5 Sep. 2026
Disney has argued the FCC has gone well beyond an examination of its internal hiring practices — the original purpose of the agency’s review.

— Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of examination

Noun

Circled by a verdant reproduction of an enchanted forest, and dressed in a black swan-like two-piece by Ann Demeulemeester, Zardoya held the audience captive with her purring soprano and vampy stare.

— Mikael Wood, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2026
The portrait in question, simply titled Roy Cohn, captures the lawyer’s striking outward stare and scar-split nose head on, surrounded by a black backdrop, a signature of Mapplethorpe’s images during the final decade of his life.

— Francesca Aton, ARTnews.com, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of stare

Noun

The Elk Grove Police Department is reviewing an audit showing outside law enforcement agencies queried the city’s license plate data more than 8 million times.

— Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 2 Sep. 2026
Years spent reviewing the financial controls of government entities as an external auditor, followed by service on boards and audit committees across several industries, taught a lesson that has outlasted every subsequent role.

— Amer Al Ahbabi, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of audit

Noun

And if your eyes are your favorite feature, play them up with sculptural lashes, a soft smoky eye, or a simple wash of cool-toned eye shadow.

— Loren Savini, Allure, 4 Sep. 2026
As tropical resorts push nightly rates into eye-watering territory (while charging excessive rates for cocktails, kids clubs and more), the appeal of paying for nearly everything upfront has become increasingly attractive.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of eye

Noun

Once active, Roman's Wide Field Instrument (WFI) will capture more than a terabyte of data daily; its largest survey will take over a year to complete and is expected to fill more than half a million 4K TVs.

— Josh Dinner, Space.com, 30 Aug. 2026
The telescope’s main survey will take at least a year, McEnery said at the Saturday press event—and its scale is incomparable.

— Claire Cameron, Scientific American, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of survey

Browse Nearby Words

scrutinizing

scrutiny

scud

See all Nearby Words

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Style

“Scrutiny.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scrutiny. Accessed 6 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of scrutiny

noun

Example Sentences

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