scrutiny

scrutiny — noun

1. the close study or inspection of someone or something, especially to uncover fau

1.nounB2
Definition

the close study or inspection of someone or something, especially to uncover faults, find the truth, or understand details that are not obvious

Example

The company's financial records came under close scrutiny from government officials after the report.

collocation: came under scrutiny / under scrutiny

Every new medicine must pass rigorous scrutiny before it can be sold to the public.

collocation: pass scrutiny / rigorous scrutiny

Common collocations
  • close scrutiny
  • public scrutiny
  • intense scrutiny
  • rigorous scrutiny
  • careful scrutiny
  • detailed scrutiny
  • come under scrutiny
  • face scrutiny
  • withstand scrutiny
  • bear scrutiny
  • subject to scrutiny
  • under scrutiny
Synonyms
  • examination

    the most general term; less intense and less judgmental than scrutiny

  • inspection

    focuses on checking for faults or standards, often official; narrower than scrutiny

  • investigation

    a systematic search for facts, usually related to a crime or problem; implies a longer process

Antonyms
  • neglect

    deliberate lack of attention or care

  • disregard

    the act of ignoring something completely

Grammar Patterns

under + scrutiny

come under + scrutiny

face + scrutiny

subject to + scrutiny

be subjected to + scrutiny

Usage Note

This sense is uncountable — you cannot say 'a scrutiny' to mean an examination. Frequently used with the verbs 'come under', 'face', 'be subjected to', and 'withstand', and with the adjectives 'close', 'public', 'intense', 'rigorous', or 'detailed'.

Common Mistakes

The building passed safety scrutiny.
The building passed safety inspection.
'scrutiny' implies ongoing critical attention, not a one-time standards check; 'inspection' is the correct word for checking compliance with rules.

2. a long, fixed look directed at someone or something, often showing suspicion, cu

2.nounC1
Definition

a long, fixed look directed at someone or something, often showing suspicion, curiosity, or deep interest

Example

Mayumi felt uncomfortable under the stranger's prolonged scrutiny as she waited for the train.

collocation: under someone's scrutiny

João turned around and met Sophia's unwavering scrutiny with a calm, steady smile.

met + possessive + scrutiny — responding to a gaze

Common collocations
  • prolonged scrutiny
  • unwavering scrutiny
  • searching scrutiny
  • silent scrutiny
  • intense scrutiny
  • meet someone's scrutiny
  • feel someone's scrutiny
  • under someone's scrutiny
Synonyms
  • gaze

    a steady look without the strong judgmental or suspicious tone of scrutiny

  • stare

    a fixed, wide-eyed look; ruder and more direct than scrutiny

  • regard

    a more formal and neutral word for a look; less intense

Antonyms
  • glance

    a quick, brief look — the opposite of prolonged attention

Grammar Patterns

under + possessive + scrutiny

meet + possessive + scrutiny

hold + possessive + scrutiny

Usage Note

Distinguish from sense 1 (CLOSE EXAMINATION): sense 1 refers to an abstract process of studying or checking, while this sense refers to a literal, physical gaze. When countable (e.g. 'He gave her a long scrutiny'), it often feels slightly literary.

Common Mistakes

The committee placed the budget under scrutiny for three hours.' (if meaning a literal gaze)
The committee subjected the budget to close examination for three hours.
sense 2 (INTENSE GAZE) only works for literal looks; use sense 1 for abstract examination.

Word family

  • scrutinize
    verbB2
  • scrutinizing
    adjectiveC1
  • scrutinizer
    nounC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

All five words involve looking at something closely, but they differ in purpose and intensity. 'Examination' is the most general term — you can examine a patient, an idea, or a document without a strong judgmental tone. 'Inspection' is more specific: it suggests checking against standards or regulations, as in a health inspector checking a restaurant. 'Scrutiny' adds a layer of critical, often public attention — it implies someone is looking for mistakes or hidden problems, and carries a slightly negative or pressuring connotation. 'Investigation' is a systematic, evidence-gathering process, typically used for crimes, accidents, or scientific questions. 'Analysis' involves breaking something into its parts to understand its structure or composition. For example, the teacher's examination of the essays was fair and thorough. The health inspector's inspection of the kitchen found a violation. The mayor's spending habits came under intense public scrutiny. The police investigation into the robbery lasted six months. The chemist's analysis of the soil sample revealed high levels of lead.

examination ↗inspection ↗scrutiny ↗investigation ↗analysis ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • subject (of scrutiny)
  • object (of scrutiny)
  • level (of scrutiny)
  • degree (of scrutiny)

Adverbs

Phrases

  • under scrutiny
  • subject to scrutiny
  • open to scrutiny
  • beneath scrutiny
  • come under scrutiny
  • face scrutiny
  • bear scrutiny
  • withstand scrutiny

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinEnglish

The word 'scrutiny' comes from the Latin verb 'scrutari', meaning 'to search thoroughly' or 'to examine'. In Roman times, 'scrutari' could mean searching through rubbish or rags for things of value. The Latin noun 'scrutinium' (a search) passed into Late Latin and then into English in the early 1600s, where it was first used in legal and formal contexts before broadening to general use.