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

Where to download a sample ballot Jefferson County residents can download a sample ballot from the Jefferson County Clerk's Office here. —

Marina Johnson, The Courier-Journal, 6 Nov. 2024 Near the entrance of the community center, volunteers for the Buncombe County Democratic Party stood with a sample ballot and handed out cookies. —

The New Yorker, 5 Nov. 2024

Verb

Rather, the team had to compute the probability of finding upper and lower paths over a subset of these outcomes — much as polls sample from a subset of voters to predict the result of an election. —

Joseph Howlett, Quanta Magazine, 1 Nov. 2024 On the other hand, a Census Bureau survey from November of last year, which sampled approximately 1.2 million businesses in America, examined AI use across industries. —

Aytekin Tank, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for sample

Recent Examples of Synonyms for sample

Noun

What are your feelings on the way sampling is happening in hip-hop and pop right now?

Mankaprr Conteh, Rolling Stone, 22 Nov. 2024
Key Facts Four-ounce packages of Super brand cinnamon powder sold mostly in California retail stores and a few others across the U.S. were recalled this week after routine sampling found the product contained elevated levels of lead.

Mary Whitfill Roeloffs, Forbes, 20 Nov. 2024