analyze

verb

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an·a·lyze | \ ˈa-nə-ˌlīz

analyzed; analyzing

Definition of analyze

transitive verb

1 : to study or determine the nature and relationship of the parts of (something) by analysis

2 : to subject to scientific or grammatical analysis chemically analyze a specimen analyze a sentence

3 : psychoanalyze

Other Words from analyze Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about analyze

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Other Words from analyze

analyzability \ ˌa-nə-ˌlī-zə-ˈbi-lə-tē

\ noun

analyzable \ ˈa-nə-ˌlī-zə-bəl

\ adjective

analyzer \ ˈa-nə-ˌlī-zər

\ noun

Choose the Right Synonym for analyze

analyze, dissect, break down 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 dissect suggests a searching analysis by laying bare parts or pieces for individual scrutiny. commentators dissected every word of the speech break down implies a reducing to simpler parts or divisions. break down the budget

Examples of analyze in a Sentence

While Wroe offers some basic biographical information and quotes copiously from Shelley's writings, she does not tell a chronological story or analyze individual poems. — Adam Kirsch, New Yorker, 27 Aug. 2007 They are not doing the math. Doing the math would mean demonstrating that the voters' intuitive judgments are roughly what they would get if they analyzed the likely effects of candidates' policies, and this is a difficult calculation to perform. — Louis Menand, New Yorker, 30 Aug. 2004 Ms. Magazine's online daily weblog, written by Christine Cupaiuolo, analyzes the representation of women in media and popular culture. Here are excerpts from recent postings. — Ms., Fall 2003 The data was recorded and analyzed by computer. We took the sample to be chemically analyzed by a lab. Researchers are busy analyzing the results of the study. The bacteria were analyzed under a powerful microscope.

Recent Examples on the Web And his ability to analyze SMT data, specifically, was thanks to his coaching experience. — Joseph Wolkin, Forbes, "Kaz Grala Seizes Second Nascar Cup Series Opportunity," 10 May 2021 Workplace consulting practices, which many major real estate firms expanded over the past decade, offer to survey employees, analyze their attitudes, jobs and demographics, prospect office sites and strategize about floor plans. — New York Times, "They Want You Back at the Office," 30 Apr. 2021 These systems use neural networks to analyze vast numbers of example sentences, inferring from them general principles of grammar and usage, and then apply those patterns in order to translate sentences the system has never seen. — Philip Ball, The New Yorker, "The Challenges of Animal Translation," 27 Apr. 2021 Investigators request an electrical engineer analyze the devices. — Cecilia Reyes, chicagotribune.com, "42 fires, 61 deaths: A story of failed city oversight," 23 Apr. 2021 The characters analyze themselves ceaselessly (to the point of videotaping interviews of themselves and one another) yet miss the most obvious things: Drug abuse, infidelity, and unrealistic expectations about life are poisoning them. — Kyle Smith, National Review, "The Big Chill: When Boomers Stumble on the Truth about Their Own Failings," 7 Apr. 2021 The health and safety of our students and staff should always be a priority and include our ability to communicate the goals of safety, analyze safety precautions and ensure safety measures are included for all students and staff. — oregonlive, "Gary Hollands’ full response to The Oregonian/OregonLive’s Portland school board candidate questionnaire," 28 Apr. 2021 Researchers could use a truly robust database to analyze and identify which treatments are most effective for patients with various underlying conditions or disease histories. — Joseph Menzin, Scientific American, "How Real-World Data Can Help Us Better Prepare for the Next Pandemic," 22 Apr. 2021 China will use Beijing based Zhongnong Guoji to analyze conditions on the farms and to handle certifications in the region. — Rick Helfenbein, Forbes, "Facing Criticism In Xinjiang - China Moves On Pigs And Retail," 21 Apr. 2021

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'analyze.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

History and Etymology for analyze

probably by back-formation from analysis, with -is taken as a suffix, and -ys- identified with the verb-forming suffix -ize, spelled -yze/-ize/-yse/-ise in the 17th century

Note: Alternatively, the verb could arise by haplology from*analysise. Note that analysis comes into vernacular use only a couple decades before the verb. Compare analyst.

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