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
While Pew could not ensure the sample was nationally representative of all experts in the AI field—which is very broad and hard to define—the survey represents a first step in gleaning how the people most committed to advancing AI view emerging technologies today. —John Timmer, ArsTechnica, 3 Apr. 2025 The wardrobe holds Allison’s printer, office supplies, and fabric samples. —Amy Panos, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Apr. 2025
Verb
In the poll — which sampled 3,565 U.S. adults and has a margin of error of 2 percentage points — 56% of respondents said that Trump will definitely or probably try to serve a third term in office. —Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 1 Apr. 2025 Visitors can sample smoky, small-batch mezcal straight from the source at mezcalerías like Hacienda Mezcalera El Mitleño, which dates back to 1948. —Meagan Drillinger, AFAR Media, 28 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for sample
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sample
  1. sampling
  2. example
  3. test
  4. specimen
Noun
  • Each educational class includes a lecture and hands-on cooking with samplings.
    — Orlando Sentinel Staff, The Orlando Sentinel, 3 Apr. 2025
  • Final radiation surveys, soil sampling and analysis will be performed to ensure the land meets federal and state clean-up goals before the job is complete, the release said.
    — Mike Danahey, Chicago Tribune, 3 Apr. 2025
Definition of sampling
Noun
  • For example, researchers have discovered that mutations in the BRCA-1 and BRCA-2 genes signal higher risk for certain cancers like breast cancer.
    — Abigail Dubiniecki, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025
  • For example, top Wall Street tech analyst Dan Ives projects that shifting iPhone production to the U.S. would inflate prices by 250%, pushing a $1,000 device to approximately $2,500.
    — Saul Mangel, Oc Register, 7 Apr. 2025
Definition of example
Verb
  • Toxic algae bloom possibly related to Palisades Fire sickens marine life 02:54 Stephanie Wilcox said her toddler's pediatrician recommended testing their home.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 11 Apr. 2025
  • National Geographic/Gary Moyes The NatGeo series focuses on some of the fresh insights gained from analyzing the digital scan, enabling Titanic researchers like Stephenson to test key details from eyewitness accounts.
    — ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of test
Noun
  • Recent funding has supported the digitization of over 2,000 vertebrate specimens, including rare and endangered species.
    — Devon Akmon, The Conversation, 20 Mar. 2025
  • The landscape is a gardeners’ dream with apple, plum, pear, cherry and nectarine trees, a goji berry patch, blueberry plants, an herb garden, fresh mint, specimens of viburnum, various holly shrubs, arborvitae, Alberta spruces and andromeda plants.
    — Karen A. Avitabile, Hartford Courant, 16 Mar. 2025
Definition of specimen

Browse Nearby Words

sampans
sample
sampled
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sample.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sample. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

More from Merriam-Webster on sample

Nglish: Translation of sample for Spanish Speakers

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!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Words You Always Have to Look Up

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

Every Letter Is Silent, Sometimes: A-Z List of Examples
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

What do SCOTUS, POTUS, and FLOTUS mean?

8 Words with Fascinating Histories

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments

Birds Say the Darndest Things

10 Words from Taylor Swift Songs (Merriam's Version)
See More

Popular

See More

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

What do SCOTUS, POTUS, and FLOTUS mean?

8 Words with Fascinating Histories
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
a game of hangman on lined paper
Hangman Lightning Round Figure out which word fits in the blanks.
See All