IELTS Speaking · Vocabulary
scrutiny
noun/ˈskruːtəni/Band 9
Last updated 21 July 2026
In short
“scrutiny” is a Band 9 noun that means critical observation or examination. Below you'll find its pronunciation, natural example sentences, synonyms and antonyms, and the collocations that help you use it accurately in the IELTS Speaking test.
Meaning
Critical observation or examination.
Example sentences
Natural, spoken examples at the level an examiner rewards.
- “Public figures are under constant media scrutiny.”
- “The claims did not stand up to scrutiny.”
Synonyms & antonyms
Synonyms
examinationinspectionclose examination
Antonyms
neglectdisregard
Collocations & common phrases
Word partners that make your usage sound natural — the difference between knowing a word and using it well.
Collocations
public scrutinyunder scrutinyclose scrutinycome under scrutiny
Common phrases
stand up to scrutiny
Related words
Explore more vocabulary
Frequently asked questions
What does “scrutiny” mean?
Critical observation or examination.
How do you use “scrutiny” in a sentence?
For example: “Public figures are under constant media scrutiny.”
What are some synonyms for “scrutiny”?
Synonyms include examination, inspection, close examination.
Is “scrutiny” good vocabulary for IELTS Speaking?
Yes. It is Band 9 vocabulary, and collocations such as public scrutiny, under scrutiny, close scrutiny help you use it naturally. Reaching for precise, less common words like this is exactly what lifts your Lexical Resource score.
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