sample 1 of 2

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
The sample of respondents was weighted to be representative of U.S. Census data. Dac Collins, Outdoor Life, 16 Apr. 2025 In 1985, a research vessel was able to collect a water sample during a milky seas event, which revealed the presence of a luminous kind of bacteria called Vibrio harveyi. Margherita Bassi, Smithsonian Magazine, 15 Apr. 2025
Verb
The Gallup poll took place from March 6 to 15, featuring 1,001 people and has a plus or minus 4 percentage points as its margin of sampling error. Tara Suter, The Hill, 9 Apr. 2025 Onboard sensors sample the air through pitot tubes, detecting bad weather. Tim Stevens, ArsTechnica, 8 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for sample
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sample
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
Noun
  • Visitors can double as such, by picking up trash, for example, and otherwise looking out for the environment at the parks.
    Addy Bink, The Hill, 19 Apr. 2025
  • For example, SuperMouth engineers toothbrushes designed to fit various contours of a human mouth, along with UV-sanitizing holders, custom formulations for toothpaste, and educational tools.
    Chris Gallagher, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2025
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
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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sample.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sample. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on sample

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!