Examine — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb /ig-ˈza-mən/ ex·am·ine

Meaning & Definition of Examine

Examine (verb)

  1. to inspect closely
  2. to test the condition of
  3. to inquire into carefully, investigate

Examine (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to put a series of questions to

    "the defense attorney was eager to examine her star witness"

    similar: catechize, grill, interrogate, pump, query, question, quiz, sweat (slang), give the third degree to, pick the brains of
    related: debrief, cross-examine, cross-question, annoy, harass, hound, pester, canvass, poll

  2. to look over closely (as for judging quality or condition)

    "the customer painstakingly examined the antique piece of furniture from top to bottom before purchasing it"

    similar: audit, check (out), con, inspect, overlook, oversee, review, scan, scrutinize, survey, view, go over
    related: notice, observe, watch, comb, peruse, pore (over), analyze, dissect, parse, delve (into), explore, investigate, plumb, probe, research, study, categorize, classify, pick over, reinspect, rereview, resurvey
    near: skim, glance (at or over), miss

  3. to search through or into

    "a groundbreaking study that examined the causes of juvenile delinquency"

    similar: delve (into), dig (into), explore, inquire (into), investigate, look (into), probe, research, check into, check up on
    related: inspect, sift, study, view, browse, cruise, peruse, scan, skim (through), surf, thumb (through), reinvestigate

Related Entry: Cross-examine (verb)

Cross-examine is a different word from Examine. The synonyms below are for cross-examine, not for examine.

  1. as in examine, bombard

    similar: besiege, bombard, cross-question, examine, pump, ask, catechize, grill, inquire (of), interrogate, query, question, quiz, poll, survey
    opposite: answer, reply, respond, rejoin, retort, comment, observe, remark, avoid, duck

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Examine

The most common words with a similar meaning to Examine:

Slang: sweat
catechize, grill, interrogate, pump, query, question, quiz, audit, check (out), con, inspect, overlook, oversee, review, scan, scrutinize, survey, view, delve (into), dig (into), explore, inquire (into), investigate, look (into), probe, research, give the third degree to, pick the brains of, go over, check into, check up on

Related Words for Examine

debrief, cross-examine, cross-question, annoy, harass, hound, pester, canvass, poll, notice, observe, watch, comb, peruse, pore (over), analyze, dissect, parse, plumb, study, categorize, classify, pick over, reinspect, rereview, resurvey, sift, browse, cruise, skim (through)

Near Antonyms of Examine

skim, glance (at or over), miss

Word Forms of Examine

Inflections: examined, examining

Derived words: examinable (adjective), examiner (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Examine

Middle English, from Anglo-French examiner, from Latin examinare, from examen

First known use: 14th centuryt

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Examine

Words & Phrases Containing Examine

reexamine

Frequently Asked Questions about Examine

What does "Examine" mean?

"Examine" means to inspect closely. As a verb, it is defined as: to inspect closely. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Examine"?

Other words for "Examine" include catechize, grill, interrogate, pump, query, question, quiz and sweat. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Examine" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Examine"?

There are 65 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Examine". Common alternatives include catechize, grill, interrogate, pump, query, question, quiz, sweat, audit and check (out).

How do you use "Examine" in a sentence?

Examples of "Examine" in a sentence: "the defense attorney was eager to examine her star witness"; "the customer painstakingly examined the antique piece of furniture from top to bottom before purchasing it"; "a groundbreaking study that examined the causes of juvenile delinquency".

Is "Examine" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Examine" is a verb.

Is "Examine" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a B1-level word, "Examine" is typical of Cambridge B1 Preliminary (PET), IELTS band 4.0–5.0, TOEFL iBT 42–71, PTE Academic 43–58, TOEIC Listening & Reading 550+.

How do you pronounce "Examine"?

"Examine" is pronounced /ig-ˈza-mən/ and divided into syllables as ex·am·ine.

What is the origin of the word "Examine"?

"Examine" comes from Middle English, from Anglo-French examiner, from Latin examinare, from examen. First known use: 14th centuryt.