1
as in analysis
the separation and identification of the parts of a whole
a metallurgist did an assay on the metal and determined it contained nickel
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to analyze
to identify and examine the basic elements or parts of (something) especially for discovering interrelationships
the company assayed a sample of the rock to see if it contained gold in quantities worth mining
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to attempt
to make an effort to do
assaying the task of writing his autobiography
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of assay
Sacramento Bee, 24 June 2024
Even the fanciest genetic sequencers, chemical assays, and data analytics may simply state the obvious: Eat better, quit smoking, reduce stress.
—IEEE Spectrum, 28 May 2015
Michael Greshko, Scientific American, 24 July 2024
To recall how youths assayed the Beatles/Stones rivalry is to be reminded that when rock and roll was in its juvenescence, youths interrelated with their music heroes in a way that today seems scarcely fathomable.
—Chris Wheatley, Longreads, 16 July 2024
See All Example Sentences for assay
Noun
Additional continuous chip channel and reconnaissance sample assay results are pending.
—Sacramento Bee, 24 June 2024
Even the fanciest genetic sequencers, chemical assays, and data analytics may simply state the obvious: Eat better, quit smoking, reduce stress.
—IEEE Spectrum, 28 May 2015
Verb
The 950-pound rover could navigate treacherous lunar terrain to reach a site of interest, assay the soil’s ice content with three-foot-deep drilling and then move on to another location to do it all again.
—Michael Greshko, Scientific American, 24 July 2024
To recall how youths assayed the Beatles/Stones rivalry is to be reminded that when rock and roll was in its juvenescence, youths interrelated with their music heroes in a way that today seems scarcely fathomable.
—Chris Wheatley, Longreads, 16 July 2024
See All Example Sentences for assay
Recent Examples of Synonyms for assay
Noun
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In Gilbert’s hands, reappraising the decade from a feminist perspective is more an exercise in cataloguing than in analysis: the ideology of the era is not subtle, and its narratives don’t need decoding.—
Dayna Tortorici,
New Yorker,
9 June 2025
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The brand also prominently lists their certificate of analysis on their website, a major bonus for users who appreciate transparency.—
Brianna Peters,
Vogue,
8 June 2025
Noun
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Violence against public officials has been increasing in recent years, including the two recent assassination attempts in 2024 against President Donald Trump.—
Donald J. Mihalek,
ABC News,
16 June 2025
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And last summer, President Trump, who has often been criticized for stoking the intense emotions that can lead to political violence in the first place, survived an assassination attempt that left his ear bloodied and killed a person in the crowd.—
Meg Anderson,
NPR,
16 June 2025
Verb
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When something doesn’t work, don’t punish the misstep—analyze the inputs, refine the process, and reuse the insight.—
Brent Gleeson,
Forbes.com,
8 June 2025
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Wilson said the cost of deferred infrastructure maintenance in La Jolla would be substantial, though it hadn’t been analyzed yet.—
Michael Smolens,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 June 2025
Verb
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But Oban’s latest release falls outside both those ranges, giving the distillery’s fans an additional chance to try something new.—
David Thomas Tao,
Forbes.com,
16 June 2025
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The best idea for Harrison might be to keep the velocity up, and try to develop a bunch of okay secondary pitches.—
The Athletic MLB Staff,
New York Times,
16 June 2025
Verb
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And Just Like … That Club, our subscriber-exclusive newsletter obsessing over, dissecting, and debating everything about season three.—
Maggie Fremont,
Vulture,
6 June 2025
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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
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Jared, a division of Signet Jewelers, is striving to increase its relevancy to today’s customers in other ways as well.—
David Moin,
Footwear News,
16 June 2025
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These latest additional targets, combined with the rising civilian casualties in Israel, constitute an escalation where both sides are striving to alienate the opposing side’s public from its leadership.—
Melik Kaylan,
Forbes.com,
16 June 2025
Verb
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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
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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
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Rao essays the role of the unemployed boy who takes some wrong turns to ensure a government job and get married.—
Sweta Kaushal,
Forbes.com,
2 June 2025
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Kapoor essays the role of a cop who has been trying to catch the thief for a long time.—
Sweta Kaushal,
Forbes.com,
1 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Assay.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/assay. Accessed 19 Jun. 2025.
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