inspect

verb

in-ˈspekt How to pronounce inspect (audio)
Definition of inspectnext
as in to examine
to look over closely (as for judging quality or condition) inspected the collie before the dog show

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word inspect different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of inspect are examine, scan, and scrutinize. While all these words mean "to look at or over," inspect implies scrutinizing for errors or defects.

inspected my credentials

When can examine be used instead of inspect?

The words examine and inspect are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, examine suggests a scrutiny in order to determine the nature, condition, or quality of a thing.

examined the specimens

When might scan be a better fit than inspect?

In some situations, the words scan and inspect are roughly equivalent. However, scan implies a surveying from point to point often suggesting a cursory overall observation.

scanned the wine list

When would scrutinize be a good substitute for inspect?

The synonyms scrutinize and inspect are sometimes interchangeable, but scrutinize stresses close attention to minute detail.

scrutinized the hospital bill

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of inspect Superintendent Burl Carroll, whom the Ku Klux Klan had endorsed, inspected the premises along with an instructional superintendent from Austin. —Hollace Ava Weiner, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 July 2025 Security staff and dogs inspect what can be more than 100 deliveries on the busiest nights. —The Athletic Tennis Staff, New York Times, 11 July 2025 If a firework fails to ignite, don’t stand over the firework to inspect it or try to reignite it. —Kansas City Star, 5 July 2025 The robot can manipulate parts, tend machines, inspect assets and even generate digital twins by capturing reality in high detail. —Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 5 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for inspect
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inspect
  1. examine
  2. scan
  3. review
  4. survey
Verb
  • Their main goal was to examine an area of the river where a magnet fisherman had found an anchor.
    — Rose Androwich, jsonline.com, 22 July 2025
  • This study examines the ratio of the income floor for the top 20% of earners to the income ceiling for the bottom 20% of earners.
    — Nathan Goldman, Forbes.com, 21 July 2025
Definition of examine
Verb
  • Some all-in-one printers can also scan for digital copies or make photocopies while also printing normally.
    — BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 23 July 2025
  • Most brands have little to no mechanism to scan for anecdotes and outliers.
    — Kian Bakhtiari, Forbes.com, 23 July 2025
Definition of scan
Verb
  • The creation of this content included the use of AI based on templates created, reviewed and edited by journalists in the newsroom.
    — NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 21 July 2025
  • The San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office is asking the public to review security camera footage for suspicious activity after three residential burglaries in Emerald Hills and Portola Valley this week.
    — Devan Patel, Mercury News, 20 July 2025
Definition of review
Verb
  • For the report, which will be released today, the company surveyed 2,206 doctors and nurses from 109 countries this past spring.
    — Victoria Feng, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025
  • The poll surveyed 1,402 Americans between June 2 and 26.
    — Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA Today, 13 July 2025
Definition of survey

Browse Nearby Words

insouciant
inspect
inspected
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Inspect.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inspect. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.

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Nglish: Translation of inspect for Spanish Speakers

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