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What is the difference between examine and investigate?

examine | investigate |

As verbs the difference between examine and investigate

is that examine is to observe or inspect carefully or critically while investigate is to inquire into or study in order to ascertain facts or information.

examine

English

Alternative forms

* examin (obsolete)

Verb

(examin)
  • To observe or inspect carefully or critically.
  • He examined the crime scene for clues.
    She examined the hair sample under a microscope.
  • *
  • With fresh material, taxonomic conclusions are leavened by recognition that the material examined reflects the site it occupied; a herbarium packet gives one only a small fraction of the data desirable for sound conclusions. Herbarium material does not, indeed, allow one to extrapolate safely: what you see is what you get
  • To check the health or condition of something or someone.
  • The doctor examined the patient.
  • To determine the aptitude, skills or qualifications of someone by subjecting them to an examination.
  • To interrogate.
  • The witness was examined under oath.

    Synonyms

    * (l), (l)

    Derived terms

    * cross-examine, cross examine * examinable * examinee * examiner * examinership * examiningly * re-examine

    investigate

    English

    Verb

    (investigat)
  • To inquire into or study in order to ascertain facts or information.
  • to investigate the causes of natural phenomena
  • To examine, look into, or scrutinize in order to discover something hidden or secret.
  • to investigate an unsolved murder
  • To conduct an inquiry or examination.
  • * 1903 , , "The Shadow and the Flash,"
  • "Why don't you investigate'?" he demanded. And ' investigate I did.

    Synonyms

    *