scrutinize

Scrutinize is a transitive verb meaning to examine or inspect something very carefully and thoroughly, often in a systematic or critical manner. The act of scrutinizing implies close attention to detail and the evaluation of accuracy, validity, or compliance. The related noun form is scrutiny.

Etymology traces scrutinize to Latin scrutari, meaning to search or rummage, which passed into English through Old French scruter and other intermediaries. The word entered English in the early modern period and has retained a formal, precise sense appropriate to careful analysis and assessment.

Usage and nuance: Scrutinize is typically used in formal or professional contexts such as auditing financial records, evaluating arguments, reviewing proposals, or examining manuscripts and data. It conveys more than casual reading; it signals a deliberate, sometimes skeptical, assessment. In many contexts, synonyms like examine, inspect, or investigate may be used, but scrutinize often carries a stronger emphasis on thoroughness and critical scrutiny rather than routine checking.

Related forms include scrutinizing (adjective), scrutinized (past tense), and scrutiny (noun). The verb is generally followed by a direct object: "to scrutinize a report," "to scrutinize evidence," or "to scrutinize policy proposals." Examples: "The committee scrutinized the financial statements for irregularities," "Researchers scrutinize datasets to identify anomalies."