scrutiny

UK: /ˈskruːtɪni/ US: /ˈskrutəni/ ,(skro̅o̅t′n ē)

Inflections of 'scrutiny' (n): npl: scrutinies

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

scru•ti•ny /ˈskrutəni/   n. [uncountable]

1. a searching and careful examination or investigation:
   He felt himself withering under the interviewer's scrutiny.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

scru•ti•ny  (skro̅o̅t′n ē), n., pl. -nies. 

1. a searching examination or investigation;
   minute inquiry.
2. surveillance;
   close and continuous watching or guarding.
3. a close and searching look.

• Latin scrūtinium the action of searching, of scrutinizing, derivative of scrūtārī to search
• late Middle English 1400–50

Synonyms

• 1. See examination. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

scrutiny / ˈskruːtɪnɪ/ noun ( -nies)

1. close or minute examination
2. a searching look
3. (in the early Christian Church) a formal testing that catechumens had to undergo before being baptized

Etymology: 15th Century: from Late Latin scrūtinium an investigation, from scrūtārī to search (originally referring to rag-and-bone men), from scrūta rubbish