assay 1 of 2

noun

ˈa-ˌsā How to pronounce assay (audio)
Definition of assaynext
1
as in analysis
the separation and identification of the parts of a whole a metallurgist did an assay on the metal and determined it contained nickel

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2
as in attempt
archaic an effort to do or accomplish something the poem about a frustrated man's last assay at greatness

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assay

2 of 2

verb

a-ˈsā How to pronounce assay (audio)
1
as in to analyze
to identify and examine the basic elements or parts of (something) especially for discovering interrelationships the company assayed a sample of the rock to see if it contained gold in quantities worth mining

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2
as in to attempt
to make an effort to do assaying the task of writing his autobiography

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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 assay
Noun
The two technologies provide a new approach for non-destructive assay (NDA) testing. — Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 28 May 2026 So, as long as your tests involve one of the assays that Finch can handle, then there’s an additional step that can be performed by the system. — ArsTechnica, 19 May 2026
Verb
For example, cell viability assays measure the effect of a chemical on cell survival and growth. — Brad Reisfeld, The Conversation, 12 Mar. 2025 Their startup is developing machine learning and artificial intelligence capabilities that will automate the assaying process for minerals in situ (on site). — Greg Autry, Forbes, 9 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for assay
Recent Examples of Synonyms for assay
  1. analysis
  2. attempt
  3. analyze
  4. try
  5. dissect
  6. strive
  7. assess
  8. essay
Noun
  • The deadly wall of water that descended from the mountains on the border between Nepal and Tibet caused destruction at least 62 miles downriver from the border in Nepal, an ABC News analysis of verified video and satellite images shows.
    — Jon Haworth, ABC News, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Oman’s Environment Authority assessed the affected area at 390 square kilometers on August 10; satellite analysis by SkyTruth’s John Amos suggested a figure of more than 2,000 square kilometers two days later.
    — Charles Edward Gehrke, Fortune, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of analysis
Noun
  • Shein's Hong Kong debut comes after earlier attempts to go public in New York and London did not materialize.
    — Jenny Lee, CNBC, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Smith hit the next pitch to right field, just out of the reach of a diving attempt by Braden Montgomery for a triple.
    — LaMond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of attempt
Verb
  • Gabor filters are then used to analyze texture and edge information at different orientations and scales, helping identify corresponding pixels between the two images.
    — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Scalable Capital is opening its investment platform to AI assistants including ChatGPT, Claude and Grok—giving European investors the ability to analyze portfolios, set up savings plans and place trades through prompts.
    — Joshua Hong, Fortune, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of analyze
Verb
  • Williams, of course, is trying to grab the next elevator to stardom.
    — Dan Wiederer, New York Times, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Keep it simple instead of trying to change everything at once.
    — Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of try
Verb
  • Most of that gap came via the right arm of sophomore quarterback Ford Green, who dissected the Chargers, completing 14 of 18 passes for 257 yards and four touchdowns.
    — Joel Beers, Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Each flower must be picked and carefully dissected to remove three tiny red threads, known as stigmas.
    — Callie Zanandrie, CBS News, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of dissect
Verb
  • Perhaps that’s why the pair has striven to create fresh archetypes.
    — Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 27 Aug. 2026
  • But a home that cannot absorb something deeply meaningful is striving for taste at the expense of inauthenticity.
    — Steven Weill, Architectural Digest, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of strive
Verb
  • Their analysis, estimated to be complete this fall, will assess whether there is a regional cluster of Ewing sarcoma or other cancers.
    — Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Have a professional conduct a full inspection of your home to assess it for possible entry points.
    — Michelle Mastro, Martha Stewart, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of assess
Verb
  • Larger collaboration, now being essayed by film industries as established as France and the Nordic States, is the bigger major way Africa’s film industries can also go.
    — John Hopewell, Variety, 5 Aug. 2026
  • After netting a Golden Globe nomination for her film debut in 1978's Corvette Summer, Annie Potts joined the cast of Ghostbusters, played the ultimate Cool Girl record store clerk in Pretty in Pink (1986), and essayed her most iconic role as barbed single-mother Mary Jo Shively on Designing Women.
    — Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 8 June 2026
Definition of essay

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Cite this Entry

“Assay.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/assay. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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