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
From samples that various spacecraft have collected, scientists have determined that Enceladus has most of the chemical ingredients required for life, according to NASA. Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 3 Oct. 2025 The flow cell contains a chip that interacts with the sample of DNA to perform the long-read sequencing. IEEE Spectrum, 2 Oct. 2025
Verb
The President, as usual, did not sample the alcohol, but everyone around him did. Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 2 Oct. 2025 First, an organism must be found or captured and sampled, of course. IEEE Spectrum, 2 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for sample
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sample
Noun
  • Why the Cantaloupe Was Recalled The recall resulted from Wholesale Produce Company's routine sampling, which revealed that the cantaloupe may contain Listeria.
    Amber Brenza, Health, 30 Sep. 2025
  • The researchers tagged the mystery bird and drew blood for genetic sampling.
    Amanda Schupak, CNN Money, 29 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • For example, the Securities and Exchange Commission, which is designed to protect investors and keep financial markets fair, is one of more than two doen agencies that are legally similar to the FCC.
    Erin Mansfield, USA Today, 3 Oct. 2025
  • In Geneva, for example, a nuclear invention from CERN researchers in the early 2000s led to the founding of a novel cancer treatment, and ultimately, to its $4 billion acquisition by Novartis.
    Peter Vanham, Fortune, 2 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • An alliance is tested as the moon clashes with Venus!
    USA TODAY, USA Today, 5 Oct. 2025
  • Those pledges – that will cost billions of euros, end austerity and test the country’s frugal mindset – resonated with many Czechs who have seen their real incomes plunge in recent years as the country tackled soaring inflation.
    Reuters 3 hr ago, CNN Money, 4 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • All specimens of the new species were collected from a single host file clam, the study said.
    Lauren Liebhaber, Miami Herald, 2 Oct. 2025
  • The Saban crab was the most common out of around 200 specimens discovered at the site in Lowndes County.
    Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 2 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Sample.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sample. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.

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