cryptanalysis

noun

crypt·​anal·​y·​sis ˌkrip-tə-ˈna-lə-səs 

1

: the solving of cryptograms or cryptographic systems

2

: the theory of solving cryptograms or cryptographic systems : the art of devising methods for cryptanalysis

cryptanalytic

ˌkrip-ˌta-nə-ˈli-tik 

adjective

or less commonly cryptanalytical

ˌkrip-ˌta-nə-ˈli-ti-kəl 

Examples of cryptanalysis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

According to him, the current developments in AI are leading towards AI Agents which will squeeze the profit margins of all consumer facing businesses, another field is cryptanalysis which will receive a tremendous boost. —Vipin Bharathan, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025

Bos was accepted and started in 2007, just as the lab began investigating the use of unconventional hardware—such as gaming consoles—to do cryptanalysis, the process of breaking encryption. —IEEE Spectrum, 28 Dec. 2024

Quantum cryptanalysis is in its infancy and will be among the highest development priorities for global intelligence agencies to break digital security. —Denis Mandich, Forbes, 21 Oct. 2024

Using lattice cryptanalysis, the number of login attempts required for the attack can be reduced to 512. —Dan Goodin, Ars Technica, 21 June 2022

Word History

Etymology

crypt- + analysis

First Known Use

1923, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for cryptanalysis

• urinalysis
• analysis
• dialysis
• paralysis
• electrodialysis
• haemodialysis
• hemodialysis
• microanalysis
• psychoanalysis