Synonym Chooser

How is the word analyze distinct from other similar verbs?

The words break down and dissect are common synonyms of analyze. While all three words mean "to divide a complex whole into its parts or elements," analyze suggests separating or distinguishing the component parts of something (such as a substance, a process, a situation) so as to discover its true nature or inner relationships.

analyzed the collected data

In what contexts can break down take the place of analyze?

The meanings of break down and analyze largely overlap; however, break down implies a reducing to simpler parts or divisions.

break down the budget

When is it sensible to use dissect instead of analyze?

In some situations, the words dissect and analyze are roughly equivalent. However, dissect suggests a searching analysis by laying bare parts or pieces for individual scrutiny.

commentators dissected every word of the speech

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of analyze Bengston and her students traveled to Portageville to meet with investigators and the coroner as well as to analyze the remains and pick samples for additional testing. David Chiu, People.com, 6 June 2025 Duties include analyzing water availability and use; reviewing historical records and interpreting data. Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado, Sacbee.com, 5 June 2025 This includes the Dialogue Agent, which allows both data teams and non-technical users to interact with structured data through natural language queries, and the Explanation Agent, which analyzes query results and provides clear, summarized insights. Andre Claudio, Sourcing Journal, 27 May 2025 The 2009 study analyzed how honeybees are affected by low doses of cocaine. Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for analyze
Recent Examples of Synonyms for analyze
Verb
  • And Just Like … That Club, our subscriber-exclusive newsletter obsessing over, dissecting, and debating everything about season three.
    Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 6 June 2025
  • The comedian came up before the prominence of social media, where every move gets dissected and shredded into pieces.
    Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 4 June 2025
Verb
  • Greenfield spent time with the series participants like Shear in their home and school environments, and with the young people’s permission examined their social media accounts.
    Matthew Carey, Deadline, 13 June 2025
  • The Department routinely examines all insurance companies.
    Giulia Carbonaro, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 June 2025
Verb
  • If scientists do detect a potential signature of life, this approach can help assess if the environment where it is detected can actually support the type of life that leads to the signature detected.
    Daniel Apai, Space.com, 15 June 2025
  • Iran says its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes only, and U.S. intelligence agencies have assessed that Tehran was not actively pursuing a bomb.
    Jon Gambrell, Los Angeles Times, 14 June 2025
Verb
  • Police and law enforcement investigate the home of state Senator John Hoffman and his wife, who were shot multiple times earlier in Champlin, Minnesota, on June 14.
    Peter Aitken, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 June 2025
  • The San Antonio Police Department is investigating their deaths, per The New York Times.
    Charna Flam, People.com, 14 June 2025
Verb
  • Most who signed are intimately involved with evaluating and overseeing extramural research grants.
    Calvin Woodward, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2025
  • As with all equity investments, investors should carefully evaluate all options with a qualified investment professional before making any investment decision.
    Joel Shulman, Forbes.com, 8 June 2025
Verb
  • White was diagnosed with H.I.V. in 1985 and survived multiple strokes and a heart attack, continuing to add ink to his prolific literary catalogue even in his later years.
    Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 5 June 2025
  • Since then, concerns have resurfaced and grown after a beloved teacher died this past fall and another teacher was diagnosed with breast cancer late last year.
    Laura Bauer, Kansas City Star, 5 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Analyze.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/analyze. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on analyze

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