What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
peered
Example
She peered through the window to see who was outside. [peered: verb]
Example
He took a quick peer at the map to figure out where they were. [peer: noun]
scrutinize
Example
The accountant scrutinized the financial statements for any errors. [scrutinized: verb]
Example
The teacher gave the essay a thorough scrutiny to check for plagiarism. [scrutiny: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Peered is more commonly used in everyday language than scrutinize. Peered is a versatile verb that can be used in various contexts, while scrutinize is more formal and less common.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between peered and scrutinize?
Scrutinize is a more formal verb than peered. It is often used in professional or academic settings to describe a careful and critical examination of something. On the other hand, peered is a neutral verb that can be used in both formal and informal contexts.