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
Brad Reisfeld, The Conversation, 12 Mar. 2025
Full certainty might require drill sampling and fire assays.
—Dave Birnbaum, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2025
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
And receptor binding assays assess whether chemicals can interact with specific proteins on cells and trigger harmful effects.
—Brad Reisfeld, The Conversation, 12 Mar. 2025
Full certainty might require drill sampling and fire assays.
—Dave Birnbaum, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2025
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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Forbes Daily: Join over 1 million Forbes Daily subscribers and get our best stories, exclusive reporting and essential analysis of the day’s news in your inbox every weekday.—
Larry Fleisher,
Forbes.com,
10 Apr. 2025
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In a new analysis of Australia’s evolving entertainment landscape, research firm Media Partners Asia (MPA) projects the country’s video industry will reach $12.3 billion in total revenue by 2030.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
10 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Cats are also known to not only knock but ring doorbells in an attempt at getting inside.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Apr. 2025
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Trump’s move is a transactional attempt to bend higher education to his will.—
Christian Schneider,
National Review,
17 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Leverage text analytics tools to analyze transcripts and identify key themes and patterns.—
Beth Worthy,
Forbes.com,
28 Mar. 2025
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His knack for reading teammates’ energy and needs is just as sound as his ability to analyze an opponent’s game plan during live action.—
James Jackson,
New York Times,
28 Mar. 2025
Verb
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And then… follow me here… the guy Kamilla was trying to convince that Shauhin was dangerous decides to believe that Kamilla and Shauhin are… too tight!—
Dalton Ross,
EW.com,
17 Apr. 2025
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In Avengers: Civil War, Ross essentially kicks off the conflict between Captain America and Iron Man by trying to force U.S. government oversight over the Avengers.—
Eliana Dockterman,
Time,
17 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Meet officials had automatic timing in three spots — the 1,500, 1,600 and mile — but dissecting the two shorter races is always very time-consuming and Dailey was anxiously awaiting the official 1600-meter time.—
Steve Brand,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 Apr. 2025
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That’s one to dissect through the offseason.—
Arthur Staple,
New York Times,
11 Apr. 2025
Verb
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If a cell harbors many black morphogens, for example, and a neighboring cell harbors few of them, then the molecules strive to move such that they are distributed as evenly as possible.—
Manon Bischoff,
Scientific American,
16 Apr. 2025
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The school could strive for excellence and integrity while doing fewer things.—
Jeannie Suk Gersen,
New Yorker,
15 Apr. 2025
Verb
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For taxpayers who owe and do not pay by the due date, a separate failure-to-pay penalty of 0.5 percent per month is assessed.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 Apr. 2025
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In December, 2021, the F.D.A. had lifted its requirement that mifepristone be prescribed in person; the number of virtual clinics, which assess a patient’s eligibility online or by phone, and mail out the medications, proliferated.—
Margaret Talbot,
New Yorker,
14 Apr. 2025
Verb
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How does a child actor agree to be a part of a horror movie and essay an important part in it?—
Sweta Kaushal,
Forbes.com,
10 Apr. 2025
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Williams’ academic performance, extracurricular leadership, community service learning and essay on the impact of military service on the family earned her the award.—
Lena Miano,
Arkansas Online,
6 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Assay.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/assay. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.
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