assess

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb assess differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of assess are appraise, estimate, evaluate, rate, and value. While all these words mean "to judge something with respect to its worth or significance," assess implies a critical appraisal for the purpose of understanding or interpreting, or as a guide in taking action.

officials are trying to assess the damage

Where would appraise be a reasonable alternative to assess?

Although the words appraise and assess have much in common, appraise commonly implies the fixing by an expert of the monetary worth of a thing, but it may be used of any critical judgment.

having their house appraised

When would estimate be a good substitute for assess?

In some situations, the words estimate and assess are roughly equivalent. However, estimate implies a judgment, considered or casual, that precedes or takes the place of actual measuring or counting or testing out.

estimated the crowd at two hundred

When is evaluate a more appropriate choice than assess?

The synonyms evaluate and assess are sometimes interchangeable, but evaluate suggests an attempt to determine relative or intrinsic worth in terms other than monetary.

evaluate a student's work

How do rate and estimate relate to one another, in the sense of assess?

Rate adds to estimate the notion of placing a thing according to a scale of values.

a highly rated restaurant

How are the words value and appraise related as synonyms of assess?

Value equals appraise but without implying expertness of judgment.

a watercolor valued by the donor at $500

Examples 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 assess The town of Chaitén is very rural, and the area itself lacks submarine cables, but the team’s work could help assess whether volcanic activity might damage those cables at other locations across the globe. Ashley Balzer Vigil, Ars Technica, 21 Dec. 2024 When uncertain radar data is detected, operators can use the cameras as an additional resource to confirm and assess the situation. Kurt Knutsson, Cyberguy Report, Fox News, 21 Dec. 2024 Its mice and rat control service includes a comprehensive inspection to assess the extent of an infestation and the vulnerabilities of the home. Kody Boye, USA TODAY, 12 Dec. 2024 First, assess the security measures in place, including the use of encryption standards and incident response plans. Lior Lamesh, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for assess 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for assess
Verb
  • Yale-Loehr also noted that recent changes have given U.S. immigration officials greater authority to tighten up the H-1B program, including imposing penalties and inspections.
    Don Lee, Los Angeles Times, 31 Dec. 2024
  • Most economists expect inflation to fall in 2025, though many caution that President-elect Donald Trump's threat to impose sweeping tariffs and deport unauthorized immigrants could cause consumer prices to rise.
    Anne Marie Lee, CBS News, 31 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • He is estimated to win an arbitration award of a one-year, $28.8 million contract, after prevailing over the Blue Jays in arbitration to the tune of $19.9 million prior to last season.
    Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 24 Dec. 2024
  • The nonprofit organization estimates that 415,000 dogs and cats were killed in animal shelters across the country in 2023.
    FunnyFuzzy Contributor, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • The mother of a newborn girl who left the infant in a tote bag outside a Bronx neighbor’s home turned herself in to cops and has been charged with abandonment, police said Tuesday.
    Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 31 Dec. 2024
  • The flat-lining of electric vehicle demand in the US - The ongoing inability of EV makers to ease consumer concerns over charging availability, battery life, and range anxiety resulted in a second straight year of slowing demand for the alternative cars.
    David Blackmon, Forbes, 31 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • That potential growth was the lure for Swedish private equity fund EQT to lead a $1 billion investment into Flix in July, valuing the company at $3.4 billion.
    Iain Martin, Forbes, 2 Jan. 2025
  • The building and parking lot are valued at about $1.7 million according to Colliers.
    Ricardo Torres, Journal Sentinel, 1 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Disney opted to dispose of the case before trying its luck on summary judgment, a routine step in civil litigation in which the court evaluates evidence and the merit of claims to decide whether a trial is necessary.
    Winston Cho, The Hollywood Reporter, 31 Dec. 2024
  • She was taken to a hospital to be evaluated, McDade said.
    Miguel Torres, The Arizona Republic, 31 Dec. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near assess

Cite this Entry

“Assess.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/assess. Accessed 10 Jan. 2025.

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