scrutiny
SKROO-tih-nee
Scrutiny (noun) means Close, careful examination or observation. Example: “The company's finances came under intense scrutiny.”
noun
1
Close, careful examination or observation.
"The company's finances came under intense scrutiny."
"Her every decision faced public scrutiny."
"The new bridge design was open to careful scrutiny by independent engineers."
How to use scrutiny
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishCareful, close examination, often implying suspicion or high standards.
Common pairings
under scrutiny
close scrutiny
withstand scrutiny
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Word forms
- Plural
- scrutinies
- Third person singular
- scrutinies
- Past tense
- scrutinied
Fill the gap
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The company's finances came under intense _____.
Etymology
From Latin scrūtinium ("a search, inquiry"), from scrūtārī ("to search thoroughly"), ultimately connected to a word for sifting through rubbish — literally, digging through the trash for answers.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for scrutiny
See all rhymes for scrutiny →Frequently asked questions
What does “scrutiny” mean?
The word “scrutiny” means close, careful examination or observation. In plain terms, careful, close examination, often implying suspicion or high standards.
How do you pronounce “scrutiny”?
“Scrutiny” is pronounced SKROO-tih-nee (/ˈskɹu.tɪ.ni/ in IPA).
How do you use “scrutiny” in a sentence?
Here is “scrutiny” used in a sentence: “The company's finances came under intense scrutiny.”
What is another word for “scrutiny”?
Words with a similar meaning to “scrutiny” include examination, exploration, inquiry, going-over, inspection and investigation.
What part of speech is “scrutiny”?
“Scrutiny” is a noun.
Where does the word “scrutiny” come from?
The word “scrutiny” comes from Latin. From Latin scrūtinium ("a search, inquiry"), from scrūtārī ("to search thoroughly"), ultimately connected to a word for sifting through rubbish — literally, digging through the trash for answers.
Is “scrutiny” a common word?
“Scrutiny” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.
What is the difference between scrutiny and inspection?
Scrutiny implies especially close and careful examination, often continuous or critical in nature, while inspection can refer to a more routine or one-time check. Something "under scrutiny" suggests sustained attention, whereas an inspection may be a single formal review.
What does it mean to be "under scrutiny"?
To be "under scrutiny" means to be the subject of close, careful examination or observation, often because concerns have been raised. It is commonly used when a person, decision, or organization is being closely watched or questioned.
Is scrutiny always negative?
Scrutiny is not inherently negative; it simply means close, careful examination. It often carries a slightly critical or skeptical connotation, however, since people or actions are typically scrutinized when something needs to be verified or questioned.
