sample 1 of 2

1
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

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2
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
While 10 samples tested positive for PFAS, none of those exceeded the maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) set by the EPA for drinking water. Ani Freedman, Fortune, 26 June 2025 Charging documents further alleged that one of Petrova's colleagues had texted her, saying that she was required to declare the biological material and to make sure to get permission to bring the samples back. Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 26 June 2025
Verb
The extra space makes every step along the way easier, including offering room for a tasting wall, where customers can sample little bits of each chocolate bar from the most bitter dark chocolate to the sweet cafe con leche bar that is Exquisito’s biggest seller. Connie Ogle, Miami Herald, 27 June 2025 At Civic Center park, tens of thousands more will sample local food and drink, visit vendors, support LGBTQ nonprofits, and dance and sing to entertainment from top DJs, drag queens and kings, including Pattie Gonia, Detox, Vanessa Vanjie, and CHIKA. John Wenzel, Denver Post, 26 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for sample
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sample
Noun
  • This drone, outfitted with an arm, is to be deployed for rock sampling at locations greater than 300 feet (over 100 meters) from the lander.
    Leonard David, Space.com, 29 June 2025
  • Delray Beach was also seeking compensation for the costs and expenses related to the past, present and future investigation, sampling, testing and assessment of the extent of PFAS contamination along with PFAS removal.
    Susannah Bryan, Sun Sentinel, 29 June 2025
Noun
  • For example, one of my most popular services is writing wedding speeches.
    Jen Glantz, CNBC, 30 June 2025
  • For example, natural oils that would otherwise be filtered out in a drip coffee maker remain fully intact, making the coffee aromatic and robust.
    Tyler Shane, Wired News, 30 June 2025
Verb
  • While dozing off in a chair with a book or a cup doesn’t seem particularly radical, a number of cognitive scientists got serious about re-creating Edison’s approach to insights and testing it in their experiments.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 6 July 2025
  • Then the team tested the bond during real memory formation by giving mice a drug to disrupt the formation of these complexes.
    Ajdina Halilovic, Wired News, 6 July 2025
Noun
  • Each room of the conservatory was landscaped with mass plantings versus just a collection of specimens.
    Janet B. Carson, Arkansas Online, 29 June 2025
  • The museum's mammal collections consist of more than 245,000 specimens from around the world, with a good sample of animals from Chicago.
    Soo Kim, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Sample.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sample. Accessed 9 Jul. 2025.

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