Thesaurus results for SAMPLE

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

sample 1 of 2

noun

ˈsam-pəl

Definition of sample next

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

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

And no hero character in any of Wilson’s previous stuff plays a larger role than part-time rock-and-roller Jack Macco, who Wilson meets when the guy is handing out free tequila samples at a liquor store. —

David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 23 Jan. 2026 White merchants comprise a little more than half of the sample, and Latinos make up a quarter. —

Claire Wang, Oc Register, 23 Jan. 2026

Verb

Editors sampled the bread quarters side by side, scoring them on taste, texture, and overall experience using a scale from 1 to 5, with 1 being the lowest and 5 being the highest. —

Melinda Salchert, Southern Living, 21 Jan. 2026 Blood and saliva sampling to measure immune biomarkers and examine how space alters the immune system. —

Matthew Glasser, ABC News, 20 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for sample

Recent Examples of Synonyms for sample

Noun

Here is a sampling of things to do in the San Fernando Valley and the greater Los Angeles area.

— Holly Andres, Daily News, 22 Jan. 2026
Here’s a sampling of watch parties and other things to see and do as Hurricanes fever takes over South Florida this weekend.

— Kari Barnett, Sun Sentinel, 16 Jan. 2026

Definition of sampling

Browse Nearby Words

sampans

sample

sampled

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Style

“Sample.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sample. Accessed 29 Jan. 2026.

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Last Updated: 28 Jan 2026 - Updated example sentences

Synonyms of sample

noun

verb

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