sample 1 of 2

noun

ˈsam-pəl How to pronounce sample (audio)
Definition of samplenext
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

Relevance
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
Sometimes the surfer catches a gnarly wave, and other times a shark catches the surfer. Luckily for one California surfer, a shark swimming in San Mateo County waters over the weekend managed to get only a sample of his surfboard. —Nathan Solis, Los Angeles Times, 3 June 2025 Collect blood and vitreous fluid, as well as hair and tissue samples. —Peter Cummings, Scientific American, 3 June 2025
Verb
Of those sampling sites, 483 yielded at least one high bacteria result that exceeded state health standards, the foundation said. —Hannah Poukish, Sacbee.com, 31 May 2025 Attendees could sample the wood’s notes in many forms, including an amber sandalwood accord and a spicy sandalwood accord. —Jennifer Weil, Footwear News, 23 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for sample
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sample
  1. sampling
  2. example
  3. test
  4. specimen
Noun
  • Experience the elegance of a traditional Victorian afternoon tea with samplings, etiquette lessons, and a house tour.
    — Joe Rassel, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 May 2025
  • In total, Taylor watched 44 videos in chambers that were recorded by police drones in March 2021 — a sampling of the hundreds of tapes that fell within the date range initially requested by Castañares.
    — Jeff McDonald, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 May 2025
Definition of sampling
Noun
  • For example, the family of Martin Gutierrez, whose body was found in the lake in 2018, before the media frenzy around Lady Bird Lake, believe he was drugged while on a night out.
    — Sophie Clark, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 June 2025
  • Or why, for example, would Wayne Rooney, his former Old Trafford colleague, sign him twice for both Derby County and DC United?
    — Daniel Taylor, New York Times, 6 June 2025
Definition of example
Verb
  • China has conducted numerous exercises to test what a blockade of the island would look like.
    — Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 31 May 2025
  • The study included 472 infants and toddlers, out of which 278 tested positive for Covid-19 and another 539 preschool-aged children.
    — Anuradha Varanasi, Forbes.com, 31 May 2025
Definition of test
Noun
  • The animal has only been seen once in 30 years, and all descriptions of it stem from a handful of museum specimens.
    — Bronwyn Thompson, New Atlas, 25 May 2025
  • The significance of such specimens underscores why scientific access should be prioritized over private fossil collection, Chapman added.
    — Mindy Weisberger, CNN Money, 21 May 2025
Definition of specimen

Browse Nearby Words

sampans
sample
sampled
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Cite this Entry

“Sample.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sample. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.

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