scru ‧ ti ‧ ny /ˈskruːtəni, ˈskruːtɪni/ BrE AmE noun [uncountable]
[ Date: 1400-1500 ; Language: Latin ; Origin: scrutinium , from scrutari 'to search, examine' , from scruta 'unwanted things, trash' ]
careful and thorough examination of someone or something
careful/close scrutiny
Careful scrutiny of the company’s accounts revealed a whole series of errors.
Their activities have come under police scrutiny.
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COLLOCATIONS
■ phrases
▪ come under scrutiny (=be examined)
The cost and efficiency of the health care system has come under increasing scrutiny.
▪ be subjected to scrutiny (=be examined)
Each proposal was subjected to careful scrutiny.
▪ be the subject of scrutiny (=be examined)
The way in which the courts handle such claims has been the subject of close scrutiny.
▪ be subject to scrutiny (=be able to be examined)
All the accounts are subject to scrutiny by auditors.
▪ be open to scrutiny
Government actions should be more open to public scrutiny.
▪ not stand up to scrutiny/not bear scrutiny (=be found to have faults when examined)
Such arguments do not stand up to careful scrutiny.
■ adjectives
▪ careful scrutiny
These figures need careful scrutiny.
▪ close/intense scrutiny (=very careful scrutiny)
Both these areas of law have come under close scrutiny by the courts.
▪ rigorous/strict scrutiny (=very careful and thorough)
This system has been subject to rigorous scrutiny.
▪ detailed scrutiny
MPs on these committees subject Government bills to detailed scrutiny.
▪ critical scrutiny (=when something is examined and judged or criticized)
Their work is in the public domain and open to critical scrutiny.
▪ public scrutiny (=by the public)
Much of the work that we do is open to public scrutiny.
▪ media scrutiny (=by newspapers, TV etc)
How does he cope with the intense media scrutiny?
▪ parliamentary scrutiny (=by parliament)
The Labour Party expressed concern about the lack of parliamentary scrutiny of MI5.
▪ judicial scrutiny (=by judges)
The new legislation will be the subject of close judicial scrutiny.