samples 1 of 2

noun

plural of sample
1
as in samplings
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

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2
as in examples
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

samples

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of sample
as in tests
to put (something) to a test sampled the soup to see if it tasted good

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 samples
Noun
Historically, scientists had to manually test hundreds of viral samples to determine the correct phage that could target the bacteria in mind. — Dr. Sai Balasubramanian, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026 Anil Thapa, a police inspector coordinating the handling of the bodies, said another 50 bodies were having DNA samples taken ahead of their likely burial Sunday. — ABC News, 30 Aug. 2026 Morgues in Nepal have been overwhelmed, though authorities are collecting DNA samples in the hopes of notifying relatives. — Freddie Clayton, NBC news, 30 Aug. 2026 County Extension Services in every state provide a lab to analyze soil samples and prepare a report on what supplements may be needed for healthy seed germination and growth. — Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 29 Aug. 2026 Walker runs the Species-from-Feces project, an initiative that invites the public to submit samples of bat guano from around the world to learn more about their bat neighbors. — Shi En Kim, AZCentral.com, 28 Aug. 2026 He was examined, placed on intravenous fluids and had multiple samples of blood drawn, the suit said. — Rebecca Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026 The cold case remained unsolved for decades until investigators re-examined Lopez's clothing and about 1,600 samples, the prosecutor's office said. — CBS News, 28 Aug. 2026 These tests helped rule out more ordinary explanations such as mechanical strain, material deterioration, uneven samples, and electromagnetic screening by the metal. — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 22 Aug. 2026
Verb
Pace Labs, which samples the park’s water weekly, retested the water that same day and is awaiting results Friday. — Laura Horne, Charlotte Observer, 16 July 2026 The museum could face up to $23 million in federal fines for not disclosing information about the hair samples sooner, although the government has seldom enforced such penalties. — News Desk, Artforum, 8 July 2026 For more precise information, Three Rivers Waterkeeper, a nonprofit that helps protect and restore the water quality of the Allegheny, Monongahela and Ohio rivers and their surrounding watersheds, samples the rivers and tributaries weekly each summer as part of its Swim Guide program. — Daniel Bain, The Conversation, 22 June 2026 In Procida, one of the Phlegraean Islands off the coast of Naples, Tucci samples a lemon salad. — Matthew Carey, Deadline, 30 May 2026 Oklou shares the same melodic grace in her wandering arpeggios, and the spectral balearic timewarp of Torus’ Summer of Love samples Stockholm’s own Eric Prydz. — Nathan Evans, Pitchfork, 12 May 2026 Then, instead of measuring everything, the protocol samples only a small fraction of the copies. — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 19 Apr. 2026 Bar Tab Taran Dugal samples experimental cocktails in Long Island City. — Vince Aletti, New Yorker, 17 Apr. 2026 The hotel samples some of the city's hottest restaurants and bars, spanning cuisine from China’s Chaoshan to Europe. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for samples
  1. samplings
  2. examples
  3. tests
  4. selections
  5. specimens
Noun
  • According to poll samplings by the Sentinel Star during Tuesday’s voting, McCollum appeared to benefit from the strong showing by Reagan.
    — Orlando Sentinel Staff, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 Aug. 2026
  • There will be 25 wineries, breweries and other vendors and samplings from more than 25 local restaurants’ best dishes and desserts along with live music and silent auction.
    — Ut Community Press, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 June 2026
Definition of samplings
Noun
  • Silvester’s concept became the Falcon Study, a new interpretation of the original developed by his San Diego start-up Q7 Yacht Designs, with naval architecture by Dutch firm Dykstra, known for its work on the series of nascent J-Class examples.
    — Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 30 Aug. 2026
  • There are already examples in other sports of athletes moving between professional and college systems without producing the same alarm.
    — Joshua Hong, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of examples
Verb
  • The campus builds and tests engines for both defense and commercial platforms.
    — Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 29 Aug. 2026
  • The season 1 finale tests the sitcom’s limits, offering up the romantic high of Ted winning Robin back and the emotional low of Marshall losing Lily.
    — Erin Strecker, Entertainment Weekly, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of tests
Noun
  • The first-round selections will be announced in early September, followed by final pitching in late September, with final selections announced during ACFM.
    — Liz Shackleton, Deadline, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Over the course of two long and decorated MLB careers — which includes Heyward’s five Gold Gloves, Freeman’s 10 All-Star selections, and five World Series rings between the two of them — their paths diverged and reconnected multiple times.
    — Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of selections
Noun
  • Eventually, one junior scientist had the courage to analyze the specimens.
    — Theresa Gaffney, STAT, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Prior to the 1830s, the plant specimens curated at private herbariums were few in number.
    — Candace Barone, Florida Times-Union, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of specimens

Browse Nearby Words

samplers
samples
sampling
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Cite this Entry

“Samples.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/samples. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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