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scrutiny

scrutiny

168 5.5
A close, careful look at something to find mistakes or problems
  • noun
  • /ˈskruːtəni/
translation icon : escrutinio
  • The new policy is under constant scrutiny by the media and public alike.
  • close scrutiny
  • subject to scrutiny
  • come under scrutiny

We're under the scrutiny every single moment.

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Examples

  • The current Australian study provides close scrutiny of how one group of women subjectively experiences university.

    Academic text (2011)
  • Look, this research must continue under careful government control and scrutiny.

  • And there would be no scrutiny, no control.

  • We're under the scrutiny every single moment.

  • But talk to me about the the pressure of public scrutiny back then on young women.

  • Perhaps it needs more scrutiny before you decide.

  • So as there were fewer problems, their scrutiny for problems increased.

  • The public scrutiny, the attacks on your character, all the lies.

  • It's an unpleasant experience being under that much scrutiny.

  • With every aspect of public education coming under increased scrutiny, no program is left unexamined.

    Academic text (2008)

Synonyms

review
vsscrutiny
490 3.0

A check by a doctor to see progress or problems

is the narrow act of close examination rather than ongoing assessment
inspection
vsscrutiny
  • Formal
356 2.5

A careful official check to see if something meets rules and is safe

is similar but less formal and can be nonofficial or general
evaluation
vsscrutiny
329 3.7

A careful decision about how good or valuable something is

is the careful inspection itself rather than the final judgment
examination
vsscrutiny
110 2.3

Careful study of something to find problems or details

is the specific idea of close careful inspection rather than a test
going-over
vsscrutiny
14 4.9

A careful check of something to find problems

captures the same careful checking but as a general concept
close watch
vsscrutiny
11 2.3

Careful, constant watching of people or things to notice problems

is a one-time close inspection rather than ongoing watching
perusal
vsscrutiny
  • Formal
5 6.7

An act of reading something carefully to understand or remember it

is a visual or general inspection rather than focused reading
critical analysis
vsscrutiny
4 5.1

A close study of a text or work of art to judge its strengths and weaknesses

is broader close inspection, not only for judging artistic merits
thorough analysis
vsscrutiny
3 3.5

A careful study that looks at all parts of something

focuses on close inspection rather than the broader study aspect
fine-toothed comb
vsscrutiny
  • Informal
2 4.1

A very careful check of something to find small errors

is the general idea of careful checking without naming the method
scrutinization
vsscrutiny
  • US
7.2

A careful, close look at something to find small details

is the common word for the same close careful examination
mole-eyed scrutiny
vsscrutiny
  • Literature
9.9

A very careful, close look to find small errors

is similar but does not stress the harsh critical intensity
fine-toothed review
vsscrutiny
5.0

A careful, detailed check of a document or record to find small errors

is the same careful inspection but stated more generally
analyzation
vsscrutiny
  • US
5.0

A careful study of something in detail to understand it

is the act of close inspection rather than analysis for conclusions

Antonyms

119 3.9

Ignore something or someone on purpose

100 3.5

Not caring for someone or something that needs care

Idioms

Being carefully watched and checked for problems

Compounds

mole-eyed scrutiny
  • Literature
9.9

A very careful, close look to find small errors

How Thorough

investigation
2.9
scrutiny
168 5.5
inspection
  • Formal
356 2.5
examination
110 2.3
review
490 3.0
glance
222 1.4

Surface Forms

scrutiny singular
scrutinies plural

Etymology

The word scrutiny comes from the Latin scrutari, which means 'to search' and is the same root as scrutinize. Imagine someone looking through a box to find very small details. That's why scrutiny means a close and careful examination.