analyze

American  

[an-l-ahyz] / ˈæn lˌaɪz /

especially British, analyse

verb (used with object)

analyzed, analyzing

1. to separate (a material or abstract entity) into constituent parts or elements; determine the elements or essential features of (opposed to synthesize).

   to analyze an argument.

   Synonyms:

   break down.

   Antonyms:

   synthesize

2. to examine critically, so as to bring out the essential elements or give the essence of.

   to analyze a poem.

   Synonyms:

   explicate

3. to examine carefully and in detail so as to identify causes, key factors, possible results, etc.

4. to subject to mathematical, chemical, grammatical, etc., analysis.

5. to psychoanalyze.

   a patient who has been analyzed by two therapists.

6. psychoanalyze.

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Other Word Forms

• analyzability
  noun
• analyzable
  adjective
• analyzation
  noun
• misanalyze
  verb (used with object)
• nonanalyzable
  adjective
• nonanalyzed
  adjective
• overanalyze
  verb
• reanalyzable
  adjective
• reanalyze
  verb (used with object)
• unanalyzable
  adjective
• unanalyzably
  adverb
• unanalyzed
  adjective
• unanalyzing
  adjective
• well-analyzed
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of analyze

First recorded in 1595–1605; back formation from analysis (or from its Latin or Greek sources), with -ys- taken as -ize

Explanation

Analyze means to study or examine something carefully in a methodical way. If you analyze your math tests from earlier in the year, you'll be able to figure out what you most need to study for the final exam. This verb analyze comes from the noun analysis. The noun analysis was in turn borrowed from Greek, from analyein, or "to dissolve." If you go into analysis, it means that you will be examined and helped by a mental health professional — who will analyze your particular problems and help you find solutions.

Example Sentences

Last year, the company introduced the Oura Meals feature, in which an artificial-intelligence-powered health coach would analyze the nutritional value of meal photos taken by users.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 21, 2026

The upper stage is to deploy a payload of 20 mock satellites and two "specially modified Starlink satellites" outfitted with cameras, which will analyze the spacecraft's heat shield.

From Barron's • May 21, 2026

The task force — made up of government agencies, scientists, businesses and community members — has already started to analyze bacteria data over the last 20 years at the pier.

From Los Angeles Times • May 20, 2026

My colleagues in planetary science and I analyze images from night sky camera networks to study cosmic dust, small asteroids and debris left behind by comets.

From Science Daily • May 14, 2026

"Are you finally answering me? If you need to do it this way I'd be happy to find a bunch of paintings for you to analyze."

From "We Are Okay" by Nina LaCour

Related Words

• consider
• evaluate
• figure out
• inspect
• interpret
• investigate
• resolve
• scrutinize
• spell out
• study
• test