Scrutiny Meaning
/ˈskɹuː.tɪ.ni/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounIntense study of someone or something.
nounThorough inspection of a situation or a case.
Sentence Examples
Corporate political donations are coming under heavy scrutiny.
The downside of fame is scrutiny.
Her argument doesn't really stand up to scrutiny.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
None
CEFR Practice Quiz
The politician's past actions were under intense public ____ after the scandal.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The company's accounts came under intense ____ following allegations of financial irregularities.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English scrutiny, from Medieval Latin scrūtinium (“a search, an inquiry”), from Vulgar Latin scrūtor (“to search or examine thoroughly”), from Late Latin scrūta (“rubbish, broken trash”), from an extension of Proto-Indo-European *(s)ker- (“to cut”).
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"Thenceforth I thought thee worth my nearer view / And narrower scrutiny."
— 1671, John Milton, “The First Book”, in Paradise Regain’d. A Poem. In IV Books. To which is Added, Samson Agonistes, London: […] J[ohn] M[acock] for John Starkey […], →OCLC, page 4:
"So much for the occupant of the britscha, who waits, as all the horses are out at a ball or a scrutiny."
— 1834, L[etitia] E[lizabeth] L[andon], chapter XVII, in Francesca Carrara. […], volume II, London: Richard Bentley, […], (successor to Henry Colburn), →OCLC, page 189:
"Younger [Customs] examiners, who, perhaps, have not yet acquired the intuition resulting from years of experience, seem partly responsible for the closer examination of incoming luggage. Not only is this closer scrutiny arousing feelings of resentment among passengers, but it is causing serious delays in the departure of boat trains, many of which have been reaching their destinations two or three hours late."
— 1951 November, “Delays to Boat Trains”, in Railway Magazine, page 719:
"Certainly, upon closer scrutiny, it becomes apparent that current usage rather than eighteenth-century usage is the basis of the interpretation of fanny as a sexual term."
— 2011, Patrick Spedding, James Lambert, “Fanny Hill, Lord Fanny, and the Myth of Metonymy”, in Studies in Philology, volume 108, number 1, page 109:
"A number of other mergers of U.S. railroads are mooted, but the I.C.C. [Interstate Commerce Commission] has made it clear that its assent to the N.& W.-Virginian proposal, which was unopposed by competitors or stockholders, should not be taken as an indication that others will swiftly pass its scrutiny."
— 1960 January, “Talking of Trains: N.& W.-Virginian merger”, in Trains Illustrated, page 9:
Explore More C1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The politician's past actions were under intense public ____ after the scandal.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The company's accounts came under intense ____ following allegations of financial irregularities.