scrutinize

/ˈskɹuːtɨnaɪz/

//ˈskɹuːtɨnaɪz// verb

By · According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA) ·

"scrutinize" is a 10-letter English headword indexed on PlainSpell.

The verdict

“scrutinize” has 15 generated spelling variants in the English index at frequency #39,079. The variants make it a useful spelling check.

#39,079
frequency rank, English
6,566
“S” headwords
15
tracked misspellings

According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA, analyzed September 3, 2026) - To examine something with great care or detail, as to look for hidden or obscure flaws.

Corpus desk

Index EN-scrutinize · scrutinize · English

scrutinize · rank #39,079 · 15 variants · 0 confusables

  • FREQ-MID #39,079
  • LEN-MEGA 10 letters
  • VOW-4 4 vowels
  • CONFUS-0 No pairs
  • VAR-HIGH 15 variants
  • BOOK-DENSE 6,566
  • PHOTO-FINISH scraper

Nearest frequency peer: scraper (-2 rank slots)

Read with this headword: Spelling guide for this pattern

Desk codes from Wiktionary headword shape, FrequencyWords rank tier, confusable-pair count, generated misspelling depth, letter-cohort book size, and photo-finish peer. Not a difficulty grade.

Rank peers near misspelling magnet “scrutinize”

Same rarity band: useful when a typo lands on a peer headword

corpus weight

What this shows “scrutinize” sits among these FrequencyWords peers; misspelling depth is tracked separately in the edit-distance chart.

Source FrequencyWords open word-frequency list As of September 3, 2026
Key facts for scrutinize
PropertyValue
Headwordscrutinize
LanguageEnglish
Part of speechVerb
IPA/ˈskɹuːtɨnaɪz/
Letters10
Frequency rank#39,079
Misspellings tracked15
Confusable pairs0
SourceWiktionary (kaikki.org)

Frequency seat of misspelling magnet “scrutinize”

Every-word frequency runs from the handful of words we use constantly (left) to the long tail used once in a blue moon (right).scrutinizelands here:

#1#100#1K#10K#100K
← used constantlyrarely used →

Scale is logarithmic (each tick is 10× rarer). Same rarity band neighbours include “scraper” (#39,077), “sedate” (#39,081), “scalpel” (#39,076). Among 6,566 “S” headwords, “scrutinize” is #39,079. Source: FrequencyWords open word-frequency list.

A misspelling magnet

The generator records 15 spelling variants around scrutinize (IPA /ˈskɹuːtɨnaɪz/), averb. Corpus frequency is #39,079 among 6,566 “S” headwords. Wiktionary lists 2 senses, so context still picks the gloss.

Our generated misspelling index lists 15 likely wrong-spelling variants for scrutinize, with forms such as "csrutinize", "sccrutinize", and "scrrutinize". Each of these forms differs from the correct spelling by one small edit: a doubled letter, a dropped silent letter, or a substituted vowel. This entry stands alone in our confusable dataset, suggesting its spelling stands apart enough that readers rarely confuse it with something else.

Etymologically, the entry records: From scrutiny + -ize. The correct English form is scrutinize, spelled S-C-R-U-T-I-N-I-Z-E.

Definition

  1. 1
    To examine something with great care or detail, as to look for hidden or obscure flaws.
  2. 2
    To audit accounts etc in order to verify them.

Recorded use

Wiktionary examples

These source excerpts show how scrutinize appears in context. They illustrate usage; the definition above remains the entry’s reference meaning.

  1. to scrutinize the conduct or motives of individuals
  2. whose votes they were obliged to scrutinize

Etymology

From scrutiny + -ize.

This word in other languages

escrutar(Español)scruter(Français)hinterfragen(Deutsch)escrutinar(Português)

Common misspellings

Also misspelled as:

  • csrutinize
  • sccrutinize
  • scrrutinize
  • scrtuinize
  • scruitnize
  • scrutiinze
  • scrutiniez
  • scrutinizze
  • scrutinnize
  • scrutinzie
  • scrutniize
  • scruttinize
  • scurtinize
  • srcutinize
  • sscrutinize

Misspelling Pattern Breakdown

How far each generated variant is from the correct spelling of scrutinize - expressed in single-character edits (insert, delete, or swap one letter). Bigger bars stand out at a glance; a one-edit slip is the hardest to catch.

csrutinize2sccrutinize1scrrutinize1scrtuinize2scruitnize2scrutiinze2scrutiniez2scrutinizze1
Edit distance from "scrutinize"

Definitions, pronunciation, and etymology for this entry are drawn from Wiktionary via the kaikki.org structured extract (CC BY-SA); frequency ordering uses the FrequencyWords open word-frequency list (2018 English corpus, MIT). See the methodology for how each field is sourced and updated.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you spell "scrutinize"?
"scrutinize" is spelled S-C-R-U-T-I-N-I-Z-E. The IPA pronunciation is /ˈskɹuːtɨnaɪz/.
What does "scrutinize" mean?
As a verb, "scrutinize" means: To examine something with great care or detail, as to look for hidden or obscure flaws.
What are common misspellings of "scrutinize"?
Common misspellings include "csrutinize", "sccrutinize", "scrrutinize", "scrtuinize", "scruitnize". The correct spelling is "scrutinize".
How do you pronounce "scrutinize"?
The IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) transcription for "scrutinize" is /ˈskɹuːtɨnaɪz/. Click the speaker icon on the pronunciation badge above to hear it spoken aloud where audio is available.
What is the origin of the word "scrutinize"?
From scrutiny + -ize. See the full etymology section above for more details.
Is PlainSpell free to use?
Yes, PlainSpell is a completely free word reference. You can look up definitions, pronunciations, confusable pairs, homophones, and spelling corrections across 5 languages without any sign-up or subscription.

Similar English words by spelling shape

Same letter count and similar misspelling depth for "scrutinize", not the corpus desk frequency band.

Same letter count

Frequency-ranked English headwords with 10 letters (nearest by frequency rank).

salamander#39,072singularly#39,090riverfront#39,065plebiscite#39,031

Similar misspelling depth

Headwords with a similar count of attested misspellings (15 here; floor ≥5).

sphincter15 variantsrearranging15 variantspersonhood15 variantstransitive15 variants

Source: Wiktionary (via kaikki.org) Structured Wiktionary extract

Source: FrequencyWords open word-frequency list