examine
verb
ex·am·ine ig-ˈza-mən 
examined; examining ig-ˈzam-niŋ
-ˈza-mə-
transitive verb
1
a
: to inspect closely
b
: to test the condition of
c
: to inquire into carefully : investigate
2
a
: to interrogate closely
examine a prisoner
b
: to test by questioning in order to determine progress, fitness, or knowledge
intransitive verb
: to make or give an examination
examinable
ig-ˈza-mə-nə-bəl
adjective examiner
ig-ˈzam-nər
noun -ˈza-mə-
Synonyms
- catechize
- grill
- interrogate
- pump
- query
- question
- quiz
- sweat [slang]
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
An accountant has been hired to examine the company's books. The police examined the evidence carefully. You should have your eyes examined. He was examined by several doctors, who found nothing wrong with him.
Recent Examples on the Web Etowah County prosecutors dispute those claims, but neither a judge nor a jury has had an opportunity to examine the evidence. 
al, 7 Sep. 2022 But going after doctors would be difficult unless the state granted the board greater freedom to examine medical records without patient approval, according to the board’s analysis of AB2098. Nanette Asimov, San Francisco Chronicle, 7 Sep. 2022 Since then, federal courts have gained more legal authority to examine evidence and question witnesses, and to address claims related to state-level elections, said Kevin Johnson, executive director of the Election Reformers Network. Kathleen Foody, ajc, 31 Aug. 2022 The event will give residents a chance to examine the plan and meet with Village officials and members of the consultants contracted to develop it. Hank Beckman, Chicago Tribune, 30 Aug. 2022 The researchers are working on a follow-up study to examine whether the AI can detect Parkinson’s earlier than conventional methods that rely on subjective assessments by experts. Casey Ross And Katie Palmer, STAT, 27 Aug. 2022 The opportunity to examine the original themes —the quest for courage, love, wisdom and home — feels more timely and urgent than ever. Emily Burack, Town & Country, 16 Aug. 2022 Many people feel failed by their options, says Swift, yet there’s little effort to examine the issue further. Sarah Sloat, Wired, 15 Aug. 2022 Although Hawthorne rebuffed the request by investigators to examine one of her machines, a clerk in nearby Irving Township handed one over to the pair despite state and federal laws that limit who can access them. Patrick Marley And Tom Hamburger, Anchorage Daily News, 14 Aug. 2022 See More
al, 7 Sep. 2022 But going after doctors would be difficult unless the state granted the board greater freedom to examine medical records without patient approval, according to the board’s analysis of AB2098. Nanette Asimov, San Francisco Chronicle, 7 Sep. 2022 Since then, federal courts have gained more legal authority to examine evidence and question witnesses, and to address claims related to state-level elections, said Kevin Johnson, executive director of the Election Reformers Network. Kathleen Foody, ajc, 31 Aug. 2022 The event will give residents a chance to examine the plan and meet with Village officials and members of the consultants contracted to develop it. Hank Beckman, Chicago Tribune, 30 Aug. 2022 The researchers are working on a follow-up study to examine whether the AI can detect Parkinson’s earlier than conventional methods that rely on subjective assessments by experts. Casey Ross And Katie Palmer, STAT, 27 Aug. 2022 The opportunity to examine the original themes —the quest for courage, love, wisdom and home — feels more timely and urgent than ever. Emily Burack, Town & Country, 16 Aug. 2022 Many people feel failed by their options, says Swift, yet there’s little effort to examine the issue further. Sarah Sloat, Wired, 15 Aug. 2022 Although Hawthorne rebuffed the request by investigators to examine one of her machines, a clerk in nearby Irving Township handed one over to the pair despite state and federal laws that limit who can access them. Patrick Marley And Tom Hamburger, Anchorage Daily News, 14 Aug. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English, from Anglo-French examiner, from Latin examinare, from examen
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a
Phrases Containing examine
Kids Definition
examine
verb
ex·am·ine ig-ˈza-mən
examined; examining
1
: to look at or check carefully
He had his eyes examined.
2
: to question closely
The police examined a witness.
Medical Definition
examine
verb
ex·am·ine ig-ˈzam-ən
examined; examining -(ə-)niŋ
transitive verb
: to inspect or test for evidence of disease or abnormality
the doctor examined the young men and found them in perfect health
intransitive verb
: to make or give an examination
the doctor will examine at the infirmary
Legal Definition
examine
transitive verb
ex·am·ine
examined; examining
1
: to investigate or inspect closely
examine the title
compare audit 2
: to question closely especially in a court proceeding compare depose
examiner
noun
as in inspector
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- inspector
- observer
- researcher
- fact finder
- experimenter
- empiric
- monitor
- empiricist
- investigator
- field-worker