scrutiny
noun
scru·ti·ny
ˈskrü-tə-nē 
ˈskrüt-nē
plural scrutinies
1
: a searching study, inquiry, or inspection : examination
2
: a searching look
3
: close watch : surveillance
Synonyms
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
Washington — Chief Justice John Roberts rejected a request from Senate Judiciary Committee Democrats for a meeting to discuss ethics issues at the Supreme Court after Justice Samuel Alito came under scrutiny for flags flown outside his homes.
—
Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 30 May 2024
Other Justices, including Sonia Sotomayor and Neil Gorsuch, have also faced scrutiny for various ethical concerns.
—Nik Popli, TIME, 30 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for scrutiny 
Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 30 May 2024
Other Justices, including Sonia Sotomayor and Neil Gorsuch, have also faced scrutiny for various ethical concerns.
—Nik Popli, TIME, 30 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for scrutiny
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.
Dictionary Entries Near scrutiny
Cite this Entry
“Scrutiny.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scrutiny. Accessed 3 Jun. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
scrutiny
noun
scru·ti·ny
ˈskrüt-ᵊn-ē
ˈskrüt-nē
plural scrutinies
: a close inspection : examination
Legal Definition
scrutiny
noun
scru·ti·ny
ˈskrüt-ᵊn-ē
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
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