scrutinise

Look at carefully

To scrutinise is to examine something closely and carefully, looking for flaws, details, or hidden meaning: The committee scrutinised the contract before signing.

The word implies thorough, often critical inspection—more intense than a casual look.

British spelling; American English uses scrutinize.

analyze

examine

Study with attention

evaluateDetermine value or quality
assessJudge worth or quality
dissectCut open to examine

parse · interpret · deconstruct · appraise · review · critique · study · probe · investigate · peruse

inspect

examine

Study with attention

checkOrder to pay
surveySystematic data collection
observePerceive with attention

monitor · vet · screen · audit · verify · review · oversee · supervise · scan · assess

investigate

probe

Thorough examination or tool

inquiryRequest for information
detectiveProfessional crime investigator
forensicPertaining to legal investigation

evidence · clues · research · surveillance · interrogate · question · sleuth · uncover · expose · dig

gaze

peer

One of similar standing

stareProlonged fixed gaze
gazeFixed, intent look
observePerceive with attention

watch · study · eye · squint · pore · look · regard · view · notice · discern

critical

faultfinding

Seeking out imperfections

nitpickingExcessive focus on trivialities
hypercriticalExcessively prone to censure
captiousGiven to petty criticism

carping · cavilling · judgmental · censorious · disapproving · disparaging · harsh · severe · exacting · rigorous

Opposites

attention and examination depth

scrutiniseglance

Brief, casual look

skim · skim over · gloss over · scan · glimpse

engagement vs disregard

scrutiniseignore

Refuse to notice

neglect · overlook · disregard · turn a blind eye · dismiss

Family

scrutinize, scrutinized, scrutinizing, scrutinizes, scrutinizer, scrutinizers, scrutinises, scrutinising, scrutinised

Familiarity: Top 200,000
Profile: Timeless · Abstract · Everyday, not technical · Rated G