as in examining
to look over closely (as for judging quality or condition)
scanned the manuscript carefully for any overlooked errors
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Recent Examples of scanning
From the vantage point of L2, the X-ray spacecraft was able to gather the data that informed this soft X-ray map by scanning the sky four times between 2019 and 2021.
—
Robert Lea, Space.com, 24 Apr. 2026
In some cases, paid ICE officers were scanning IDs while unpaid TSA workers were working the security scanning machines at Hartsfield-Jackson.
—Irene Wright, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2026
The founders said the AI model began by focusing on brand design and item selection, scanning the internet for goods including candles, granola and books.
—Mason Leib, ABC News, 23 Apr. 2026
Pedrick and Daisy retraced their steps along Boylston Street, scanning the ground near the finish line with no luck.
—Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 23 Apr. 2026
This works well for scanning documents, video calls, and quick snaps.
—New Atlas, 21 Apr. 2026
That WhatsApp chat was filled with researchers, technicians and artists who had been scanning the plant as part of a yearslong art and data project, said Laura Spalding Best, the senior director of exhibits at the Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix, which commissioned the project.
—Alina Hartounian, NPR, 20 Apr. 2026
The 44-year-old father from Honduras felt like his head was on a swivel, greeting the handful of shoppers that approached while also scanning the busy thoroughfare behind him.
—Wendi C. Thomas, MLK50, 17 Apr. 2026
Tasks that once required advanced expertise—like scanning code for vulnerabilities or running attacks that require chaining multiple exploits together—are increasingly being automated or semiautomated by AI systems.
—Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 10 Apr. 2026
Robert Lea, Space.com, 24 Apr. 2026
In some cases, paid ICE officers were scanning IDs while unpaid TSA workers were working the security scanning machines at Hartsfield-Jackson.
—Irene Wright, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2026
The founders said the AI model began by focusing on brand design and item selection, scanning the internet for goods including candles, granola and books.
—Mason Leib, ABC News, 23 Apr. 2026
Pedrick and Daisy retraced their steps along Boylston Street, scanning the ground near the finish line with no luck.
—Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 23 Apr. 2026
This works well for scanning documents, video calls, and quick snaps.
—New Atlas, 21 Apr. 2026
That WhatsApp chat was filled with researchers, technicians and artists who had been scanning the plant as part of a yearslong art and data project, said Laura Spalding Best, the senior director of exhibits at the Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix, which commissioned the project.
—Alina Hartounian, NPR, 20 Apr. 2026
The 44-year-old father from Honduras felt like his head was on a swivel, greeting the handful of shoppers that approached while also scanning the busy thoroughfare behind him.
—Wendi C. Thomas, MLK50, 17 Apr. 2026
Tasks that once required advanced expertise—like scanning code for vulnerabilities or running attacks that require chaining multiple exploits together—are increasingly being automated or semiautomated by AI systems.
—Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 10 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scanning
Verb
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The film traces his long-running bid to step out of Chun’s shadow and claim the top seat himself, examining the web of alliances, rivalries, and institutional maneuvers that defines his ascent.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
27 Apr. 2026
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Blanche said ballistics experts are still examining evidence to provide more clarity on those questions.—
Alanna Durkin Richer,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Ryan’s diagnosis of Horner after more than 18 hours of interviewing him as well as speaking to other witnesses and reviewing records listed 10 conditions including autism, ADHD, post-traumatic stress disorder, major depression and fetal alcohol spectrum disorder.—
Harriet Ramos,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
29 Apr. 2026
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Those tensions hit a new high when Reuters published an internal Defense Department email last week that proposed punishing Britain for its position on Iran by reviewing America’s position on the Falkland Islands.—
Freddie Clayton,
NBC news,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Reynders and Amy Franco from the Hillside Public Library have been surveying other libraries in recent months and learned several are still waiting for 2024 tax year distributions.—
A.D. Quig,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
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The National Weather Service is still surveying the damage done and will have a report in the upcoming days.—
Lauren Bostwick,
CBS News,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The black-and-white surveillance video from November 2024 shows a masked thief carefully inspecting and stuffing seven of Van Gaver's pigeons into a bag.—
Sharyn Alfonsi,
CBS News,
26 Apr. 2026
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When traveling, the EPA suggests inspecting any room visitors will be staying in for the presence of bed bugs.—
Colson Thayer,
PEOPLE,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
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SilverLeaf features large windows and in-seat dining, while GoldLeaf offers bi-level dome cars, an open-air viewing platform, and a dedicated dining room serving gourmet meals.—
Taryn White,
Travel + Leisure,
27 Apr. 2026
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Most Britons aren't viewing the king's trip favorably.—
Kathryn Watson,
CBS News,
27 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Scanning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scanning. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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