Definition
To scrutinize something is to look at it very closely and carefully, especially to find details or possible problems.
Etymology
From Latin “scrutari” meaning “to search, examine thoroughly,” possibly from “scruta” meaning “trash,” like someone rummaging through old stuff. The English verb grew from the idea of a very thorough search.
Kelly Says
The root idea is like picking through junk to find something important—slow, detailed, maybe a bit obsessive. When you scrutinize, you’re mentally rummaging through every little piece.
Translations
AFAfrikaans
ondersoek
on-der-SOOK
BGБългарски
преглеждам
preg-le-ZHDAM
BNবাংলা
পরীক্ষা করা
po-rik-sha ko-ra
CACatalà
escrutar
es-kru-TAR
CSČeština
zkoumat
ZKOU-mat
ELΕλληνικά
εξετάζω
ex-e-TA-zo
ESEspañol
escudriñar
es-ku-dri-NYAR
EUEuskara
aztertu
az-TER-tu
FAفارسی
بررسی کردن
bar-re-si kar-dan
FISuomi
tarkastella
tar-kas-TEL-la
FRFrançais
scruter
skru-TE
GLGalego
escrutar
es-kru-TAR
HIहिन्दी
जांचना
jaan-cha-NA
HRHrvatski
pregledati
preg-le-DA-ti
HUMagyar
megvizsgál
meg-viz-SGAAL
IDBahasa Indonesia
memeriksa
me-me-rik-sa
ITItaliano
scrutare
skru-TA-re
KO한국어
자세히 조사하다
ja-se-hi jo-sa-ha-da
LTLietuvių
apžiūrėti
ap-zhiu-RE-ti
LVLatviešu
pārbaudīt
paar-bau-DEET
MSBahasa Melayu
memeriksa
me-me-rik-sa
NLNederlands
onderzoeken
on-der-ZOO-ken
PTPortuguês
escrutar
es-kru-TAR
RUРусский
тщательно изучать
t-shcha-tel'-no i-zu-CHAT'
SKSlovenčina
skúmať
SKOO-mat
SLSlovenščina
preveriti
pre-ve-RI-ti
SRСрпски
прегледати
preg-le-da-ti
SVSvenska
granska
GRAN-ska
SWKiswahili
kagua
ka-GU-a
TEతెలుగు
పరిశీలించు
pa-ri-shee-lin-chu
TRTürkçe
incelemek
in-je-le-MEK
UKУкраїнська
ретельно вивчати
retel'-no vi-vcha-ty
URاردو
جانچنا
jaan-cha-NA
VITiếng Việt
xem xét kỹ
xem xet ky
Ethical Language Guidance
Gender History
Women and gender minorities have historically been scrutinized more intensely in public life—appearance, behavior, and competence—than male counterparts. Language of scrutiny has often been applied unevenly, reinforcing bias.
Inclusive Usage
Apply scrutiny standards consistently regardless of gender, and be explicit when disproportionate scrutiny is itself part of the problem.
Inclusive Alternatives
["examine closely","analyze","review carefully"]
Empowerment Note
Women journalists, auditors, and activists have used rigorous scrutiny to expose injustices, even as they themselves faced biased scrutiny.