見極める|みきわめるmikiwameru[4]nakadaka (mid-high)

1. ichidan verb, transitive verbto watch to the end
   眼めは手てを見極みきわめ得うるが、心こころまでは見極みきわめ得えない。↗

   The eye may see for the hand, but not for the mind.
2. ichidan verb, transitive verbto ascertain; to determine; to get to the bottom of; to make sure of
3. ichidan verb, transitive verbto know thoroughly; to obtain a deep understanding of

• Synonym見定めるみさだめるNeutralTo look carefully and then decide or determine, e.g. 「方向を見定める」. Close to the headword, but 「見極める」 puts more emphasis on seeing through to the essence.
• Synonym見届けるみとどけるNeutralTo keep watching to the very end and confirm the outcome with one's own eyes; the emphasis is on seeing the conclusion, not on seeing through it.
• Synonym確かめるたしかめるNeutralTo confirm or make sure; common in everyday use. 「見極める」 requires deeper observation and judgement.
• SynonymみるNeutralThe most basic verb of seeing, also used for judging. 「見極める」 stresses seeing through to the very end.
• Synonym突き止めるつきとめるNeutralTo pin down a cause, culprit etc.; stresses pursuing a matter to the end. The emphasis is on finding the answer.
• Related確認かくにんWrittenWritten/formal prose. To confirm or verify; the broadest of these words in range of use, while 「見極める」 centres on seeing deeply into the essence.
• Related取り調べるとりしらべるWrittenWritten/formal prose. To investigate in detail, especially interrogating a suspect; the emphasis is on questioning.
• Related検分けんぶんWrittenTo be present and check on the spot, e.g. surveying a scene. Written/formal prose.
• Related調査ちょうさWrittenWritten/formal prose. To investigate actual conditions, e.g. 「市場調査」; the emphasis is on gathering information.
• Related検査けんさWrittenWritten/formal prose. To check for abnormalities, e.g. 「健康診断の検査」; the emphasis is on testing and inspection.
• Related査察ささつFormalFormal. On-site inspection of whether rules are being observed, e.g. tax and compliance checks.
• Related審査しんさFormalFormal. To deliberate and then decide whether something passes, its merit or rank, e.g. 「入試審査」; the emphasis is on judging.
• Related点検てんけんWrittenWritten/formal prose. To check equipment, documents etc. item by item, e.g. 「書類を点検する」; the emphasis is on going through each one.
• Related診るみるNeutralA doctor examining a patient or a vet examining an animal; the object is a physical condition.
• Related探るさぐるNeutralTo grope or probe, often discreetly, e.g. 「真相を探る」; the emphasis is on the process of searching.
• Related調べるしらべるNeutralTo look up or investigate; the most common word in daily use. 「見極める」 centres on reaching a firm judgement.
• Related査閲さえつFormalFormal. To inspect on the spot; also to review military training. Rarely used.
• Related閲するえっするWrittenLiterary. To examine or look over; also said of time passing. Rarely used.
• Related検するけんするWrittenLiterary. To inspect or supervise; rarely used in modern Japanese — say 「検査する」 instead.
• Antonym見誤るみあやまるNeutralTo misread or misjudge — the opposite of judging correctly, as 「見極める」 does.
• Antonym見逃すみのがすNeutralTo miss or let something pass — the opposite of seeing a thing through to the end, as 「見極める」 does.

Use 「見極める」 for seeing through to the essence and making a firm judgement, as in 「本質を見極める」. For ordinary confirmation pick 「確かめる」, for watching to the end 「見届ける」, for pinning down a cause 「突き止める」. Among the nouns, 「確認」 is the broadest, for any verification; the rest name specific checks: 「調査」 gathering facts, 「検査」 testing for abnormalities, 「点検」 item-by-item checks, 「審査」 judging merit. 「見る」 is the plain verb of seeing; 「探る」 is probing. Avoid the rare literary 「閲する」 and 「検する」.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

1. 最後さいごまで見届みとどける
2. ものの本質ほんしつを極きわめる。
3. 真偽しんぎを鑑定かんていする。