scrutinize
Examine something very carefully and thoroughly
Examples
In a meeting
“We need to scrutinize these numbers before presenting them to the board.”
Over coffee
“My parents always scrutinize my report card like detectives.”
Why this word
examine
scrutinize implies intense, critical examination with attention to fine details
review
scrutinize suggests more rigorous and critical analysis than a standard review
inspect
scrutinize emphasizes thorough, critical analysis, often looking for flaws or irregularities
Usage tip
Use when describing intense, critical examination beyond casual review
Etymology
Latin: scrutari (search through, examine)
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Related words
diagnose
To identify the cause or nature of a problem through examination.
fundamental
Forming a necessary base or core; of central importance.
extrapolate
Extend known information to predict unknown outcomes
distinguish
To recognize or identify the difference between things
unpack
To analyze and explain something complex in detail
granular
Characterized by a high level of detail