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 In a room decorated to look like a bar, Gemini 2 quickly assessed several wine bottles in view, providing geographical information, details of taste characteristics, and pricing sourced from the web. Will Knight, WIRED, 11 Dec. 2024 But since the team demolished the grandstand and other structures, the vacant site would be assessed at only 10% of that amount, for an annual tax of about $3.6 million — a significant cut from the current $8.9 million the Bears are paying in property taxes on the site. Robert McCoppin, Chicago Tribune, 10 Dec. 2024 The university is open to assessing ideas for alternative uses for the space if an opportunity arose and the county supported it. Kelly Meyerhofer, Journal Sentinel, 10 Dec. 2024 Utilizing an integrated depth-sensing camera, 8-electrode body fat scale and other sensors, the system assesses the person's cardiovascular endurance, movement patterns, muscle strength, posture, flexibility and body composition. Ben Coxworth, New Atlas, 9 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for assess 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for assess
Verb
  • In July, California imposed permanent water restrictions on towns and cities, an attempt to locally respond to droughts that are expected to only get worse in the coming decades.
    Elizabeth Rush, The Atlantic, 17 Dec. 2024
  • Even if Beijing is selective in issuing threats and imposing restrictions, taking action against some U.S. partners but not others, the same chill will be running through capitals across the world, from Brussels to New Delhi.
    Daniel H. Rosen, Foreign Affairs, 17 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • During a news conference Tuesday evening, L.A. County Fire Department Chief Anthony C. Marrone reported that an initial aerial survey estimates seven structures have been destroyed and eight others damaged.
    Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 12 Dec. 2024
  • At the time of Galliano’s appointment, market sources estimated the company generated about 100 million euros annually.
    Miles Socha, WWD, 11 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • Maurice Eugene Smith, founder and CEO of the Eugene Toriko travel agency, was charged with defrauding George Mason University and its foundation, which spent $159,756 for what the FBI describes as a sham.
    Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 13 Dec. 2024
  • Nikitin is not currently charged with an offense by the United States government.
    Ali Winston, WIRED, 13 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • Organizations that highly value ERG leadership and participation will retain more high performers.
    Julie Kratz, Forbes, 15 Dec. 2024
  • Likewise, protecting biodiversity will require major changes to an economic system that values industries such as tourism and timber more than mangroves and rainforests.
    Zoë Schlanger, The Atlantic, 13 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • For example, one at London Luton Airport, where passengers numbers hit 16.2 million in 2023, is expected in February (where Lagardère is the incumbent), and another tender at London Gatwick is now being evaluated.
    Kevin Rozario, Forbes, 17 Dec. 2024
  • According to the complaint, per the outlets, the children were removed from the home and medically evaluated.
    Escher Walcott, People.com, 16 Dec. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near assess

Cite this Entry

“Assess.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/assess. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on assess

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