sample 1 of 2

noun

ˈsam-pəl How to pronounce sample (audio)
Definition of samplenext
1
as in sampling
a number of things selected from a group to stand for the whole based on a sample of the menu items, we decided that this was the best restaurant in town

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in example
one of a group or collection that shows what the whole is like this vase is a sample of the high-quality glassware that the glassblowers can produce

Synonyms & Similar Words

sample

2 of 2

verb

as in to test
to put (something) to a test sampled the soup to see if it tasted good

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word sample distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of sample are case, example, illustration, instance, and specimen. While all these words mean "something that exhibits distinguishing characteristics in its category," sample implies a part or unit taken at random from a larger whole and so presumed to be typical of its qualities.

show us a sample of your work

When is case a more appropriate choice than sample?

While in some cases nearly identical to sample, case is used to direct attention to a real or assumed occurrence or situation that is to be considered, studied, or dealt with.

a case of mistaken identity

When can example be used instead of sample?

The meanings of example and sample largely overlap; however, example applies to a typical, representative, or illustrative instance or case.

a typical example of bureaucratic waste

When could illustration be used to replace sample?

Although the words illustration and sample have much in common, illustration applies to an instance offered as a means of clarifying or illuminating a general statement.

a telling illustration of Murphy's Law

When might instance be a better fit than sample?

In some situations, the words instance and sample are roughly equivalent. However, instance applies to any individual person, act, or thing that may be offered to illustrate or explain.

an instance of history repeating itself

In what contexts can specimen take the place of sample?

The synonyms specimen and sample are sometimes interchangeable, but specimen applies to any example or sample whether representative or merely existent and available.

one of the finest specimens of the jeweler's art

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 sample
Noun
This budding technique involves comparing DNA samples to those accessible on public genetic databases which law enforcement is permitted to access. —Claire Lempert, ABC News, 12 Sep. 2025 Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania analyzed brain samples from more than 600 people whose data was archived in the Penn Medicine Brain Bank. —Thomas Westerholm, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Sep. 2025
Verb
Scientists believe intriguing leopard spots on a rock sampled by the Perseverance rover on Mars last year may have potentially been made by ancient life, NASA announced Wednesday. —Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 10 Sep. 2025 Blue Moon, a Molson Coors brand, will also be sampling at locations in Boston, Denver, Long Island, Nashville, and Philadelphia, and giving away bags of oranges. —Cheryl V. Jackson, IndyStar, 10 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for sample
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sample
  1. sampling
  2. example
  3. test
  4. specimen
Noun
  • Here is a sampling of the voyages available in the region.
    — Stefanie Waldek, AFAR Media, 12 Sep. 2025
  • Researchers are already planning to expand their sampling, looking at eggs from different rock layers to build an even more detailed regional timeline.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 11 Sep. 2025
Definition of sampling
Noun
  • The reversal marks just one example of how Trump is rewriting Republicans’ decades-old playbook on countering Beijing’s influence in the United States and abroad.
    — Christian Datoc, The Washington Examiner, 12 Sep. 2025
  • American craft beer, for example, has grown over the last 30 years to take nearly 15% of US beer sales by volume.
    — Nish Acharya, Forbes.com, 12 Sep. 2025
Definition of example
Verb
  • Workplace success is often about setting aside these assumptions long enough to test what is actually true.
    — Dr. Diane Hamilton, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025
  • When tested, the glue was found to have a bonding strength of over 400 pounds (over 181 kg).
    — Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 13 Sep. 2025
Definition of test
Noun
  • But unlike those taxidermy specimens, collectors can still enjoy a living, breathing VW Beetle today.
    — Robert Ross, Robb Report, 12 Sep. 2025
  • Inspectors noted expired medications still in use and lab specimens left unrefrigerated.
    — Walter Pavlo, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Definition of specimen

Browse Nearby Words

sampans
sample
sampled
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Cite this Entry

“Sample.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sample. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.

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