assess

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb assess differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of assess are appraise, estimate, evaluate, rate, and value. While all these words mean "to judge something with respect to its worth or significance," assess implies a critical appraisal for the purpose of understanding or interpreting, or as a guide in taking action.

officials are trying to assess the damage

Where would appraise be a reasonable alternative to assess?

Although the words appraise and assess have much in common, appraise commonly implies the fixing by an expert of the monetary worth of a thing, but it may be used of any critical judgment.

having their house appraised

When would estimate be a good substitute for assess?

In some situations, the words estimate and assess are roughly equivalent. However, estimate implies a judgment, considered or casual, that precedes or takes the place of actual measuring or counting or testing out.

estimated the crowd at two hundred

When is evaluate a more appropriate choice than assess?

The synonyms evaluate and assess are sometimes interchangeable, but evaluate suggests an attempt to determine relative or intrinsic worth in terms other than monetary.

evaluate a student's work

How do rate and estimate relate to one another, in the sense of assess?

Rate adds to estimate the notion of placing a thing according to a scale of values.

a highly rated restaurant

How are the words value and appraise related as synonyms of assess?

Value equals appraise but without implying expertness of judgment.

a watercolor valued by the donor at $500

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 assess The European Union will review its political and economic pact with Israel over the situation in Gaza, with a strong majority of foreign ministers backing the move to assess Israel's compliance with the deal's human rights clause, according to Reuters. Amira El-Fekki‎, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 May 2025 In light of such concerns, the applicant team and homeowners agreed to revisit the plans and assess whether the project could be revised to one story. Ashley MacKin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 May 2025 Research aboard Tiangong also includes assessing how microbes interact with materials aboard Tiangong, China Central Television (CCTV) reported, citing China's human spaceflight agency. Andrew Jones, Space.com, 21 May 2025 Part of? Or anchor of? Buying time with a possible Herro extension allows not only deeper consideration for the financials, but also to better assess what could augment Adebayo/Herro or, frankly, supplant Adebayo/Herro. Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 10 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for assess
Recent Examples of Synonyms for assess
Verb
  • In Game 6, the Nuggets, already playing a short rotation, finally decided to impose their will physically on a young Thunder team.
    Kelly Iko, New York Times, 16 May 2025
  • To restore fairness, the city should impose an additional tax on whole-home short-term rental businesses.
    U T Readers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 May 2025
Verb
  • That proposal submitted by Polk Stanley Wilcox was estimated to cost at least $136,000; the optional inclusion of the shock wires would have added approximately $55,000 to the total price.
    Joseph Flaherty, Arkansas Online, 23 May 2025
  • Messi — not known for headers — leaped to reach the ball that was estimated to be nearly 9 feet (2.70 meters) in the air, redirecting it with his head past Manchester United goalkeeper Edwin van de Sar.
    Tim Reynolds, Sun Sentinel, 22 May 2025
Verb
  • In California, a 15-year-old charged with murder must be tried in juvenile court.
    Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 24 May 2025
  • The actor was initially charged with involuntary manslaughter before the charges were dropped, then was charged again in January 2024.
    Raechal Shewfelt, EW.com, 24 May 2025
Verb
  • While valuing space and independence is healthy, disconnecting from your own emotional world can eventually keep you from experiencing genuine connection.
    Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 14 May 2025
  • EToro had previously filed to go public in 2021 through a merger with a special purpose acquisition company, or SPAC, that would have valued it at more than $10 billion.
    Samantha Subin, CNBC, 14 May 2025
Verb
  • Improve access and quality of pre- and post-natal support, maternal care and child healthcare – Effective leaders evaluate their benefits to ensure employees and their dependents have access to quality care and do not face unreasonable costs.
    John M. Bremen, Forbes.com, 16 May 2025
  • To evaluate Creative Gate’s appeal to other partners, including potential co-financiers, a team from the Festival has attended a startup incubation program at the Baltics’ largest science park, Tehnopol, in eastern Estonia.
    Annika Pham, Variety, 15 May 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Assess.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/assess. Accessed 27 May. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on assess

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!