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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Yet a new 2025 UCLA analysis of 20,000 working adults finds that self-employment, especially for women, is linked to significantly lower rates of obesity, inactivity, and poor sleep, three of the biggest drivers of heart trouble.—
Caroline Castrillon,
Forbes.com,
8 June 2025
Noun
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Searching for the source of the gunfire, police came upon Baker, who said he and his friend had been fired on during a holdup attempt, and the friend, Hudson, had been wounded.—
John Lynch,
Arkansas Online,
4 June 2025
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They are each infused with years of writing and editing in an earnest attempt, in each case, to win you over.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
4 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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Falling in love is a beautiful process, but try not to ignore the hurdles that come along the way.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
4 June 2025
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In the Tuesday, June 3 episode, Gilbert recalled getting the role of Laura Ingalls and how her parents tried to keep her life normal despite her star rising.—
Angela Andaloro,
People.com,
4 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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This leads them to strive to inspire others, creating a virtuous cycle that perpetually increases engagement, a sense of purpose, and more.—
Matthew Kayser,
USA Today,
3 June 2025
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The album’s 11 tracks don’t strive to be confessional, just open.—
Janine Schaults,
Chicago Tribune,
3 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 18 Jun. 2025.
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