Another Word for Examine: 12 Synonyms with Examples
To examine is to look at something closely and carefully. Alternatives can suggest a quick check, a thorough investigation or a formal test.
As a verb: look at closely
- inspect
- study
- scrutinise
- analyse
- investigate
- review
- explore
As a verb: test knowledge or health
- test
- assess
- quiz
- check
- check over
Need a different word?Look up any word in the synonym finder →
How they differ
Synonyms share a meaning, not always a tone. Here is when to pick each of the main options.
- inspect
- Looks carefully for faults, often officially.
- scrutinise
- Examines very closely, critically.
- investigate
- Tries to find out facts or causes.
- review
- Looks again at something to judge or improve it.
- explore
- Examines an idea in an open, wide-ranging way.
- assess
- Judges ability, quality or value.
Example sentences
- inspect: An engineer inspected the roof after the storm.
- scrutinise: Journalists scrutinised the minister's travel expenses.
- investigate: Police are investigating the cause of the fire.
- review: The board will review the policy next spring.
- explore: The essay explores the idea of home in three novels.
- assess: Nurses assess every patient on arrival.
Opposite of examine
- ignore
- overlook
- neglect
- skim
More from WordNet
Less common or more specialised words WordNet lists for other senses of “examine”. Check the meaning before you use one.
verb: analyze, canvass, see, probe
WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Used under the WordNet licence.
Frequently asked questions
What is another word for “examine”?
The most useful alternatives are “inspect”, “study”, “scrutinise”, “analyse”, “investigate”. For the main sense (look at closely), “inspect” is usually the closest swap.
What is the difference between “inspect” and “scrutinise”?
inspect: Looks carefully for faults, often officially. scrutinise: Examines very closely, critically.
What is the opposite of “examine”?
Common antonyms are “ignore”, “overlook”, “neglect”, “skim”.