Thesaurus results for SAMPLE

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

sample 1 of 2

noun

ˈsam-pəl

Definition of sample next

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

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

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 sample

Noun

The samples will help identify the pathogen or combination of pathogens could be causing the illness. —

Eduardo Cuevas, USA TODAY, 11 Dec. 2024 For his analysis, Benson utilized a commercially available dataset of all LinkedIn profiles in the U.S. and selected a random sample of roughly 13 million profiles. —

Kim Elsesser, Forbes, 10 Dec. 2024

Verb

By the way, don’t forget to sample some wines from the South. —

Karla Walsh, Southern Living, 9 Dec. 2024 It was carried out between November 8 and 14, sampling 2,510 U.S. adults. —

Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 6 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for sample

Recent Examples of Synonyms for sample

Noun

Before this year, the technology didn’t exist to do such a comprehensive sampling of the faces, ages and people featured in advertising.

Megan Poinski, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024
Highlands has its mainstays, like tasting-menu-only Roots and Vine for a sampling of Appalachian ingredients, the cozy Ruffed Grouse Tavern where a roaring fireplace complements a deep wine list, and authentic Ristorante Paoletti for warming Northern Italian fare.

Shannon McMahon, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 Dec. 2024