analyze

[an-l-ahyz]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR analyze ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object), an·a·lyzed, an·a·lyz·ing.

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.

to examine critically, so as to bring out the essential elements or give the essence of: to analyze a poem.

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

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

to psychoanalyze: a patient who has been analyzed by two therapists.

Also especially British, an·a·lyse.

Origin of analyze

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

Related formsan·a·lyz·a·ble, adjectivean·a·lyz·a·bil·i·ty, nounan·a·ly·za·tion, nounmis·an·a·lyze, verb (used with object), mis·an·a·lyzed, mis·an·a·lyz·ing.non·an·a·lyz·a·ble, adjectivenon·an·a·lyzed, adjectiveo·ver·an·a·lyze, verb, o·ver·an·a·lyzed, o·ver·an·a·lyz·ing.re·an·a·lyz·a·ble, adjectivere·an·a·lyze, verb (used with object), re·an·a·lyzed, re·an·a·lyz·ing.un·an·a·lyz·a·ble, adjectiveun·an·a·lyz·a·bly, adverbun·an·a·lyzed, adjectiveun·an·a·lyz·ing, adjectivewell-an·a·lyzed, adjective

Synonyms for analyze

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR analyze ON THESAURUS.COM

1. break down. 2. explicate.

Antonyms for analyze

1. synthesize.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for analyze

resolve, consider, evaluate, study, inspect, investigate, scrutinize, test, interpret, dissect, determine, parse, rehash, assay, figure, confab, judge, hash, estimate, anatomize

Examples from the Web for analyze

Contemporary Examples of analyze

Caddy Shack, Stripes, Ghostbusters, Groundhog Day and Analyze This affirm it.
How Harold Ramis Invented Baby Boom Comedy With ‘Animal House’
P. J. O’Rourke
February 27, 2014
Ramis made a lot of funny movies, including Animal House, Ghostbusters, Caddyshack, and Analyze This.
Harold Ramis’s ‘Groundhog Day’ Is About as Perfect as a Movie Gets
Malcolm Jones
February 25, 2014
At the Analyze This press junket, a writer told the director that his niche had become “goofy redemption comedy.”
Harold Ramis’s ‘Groundhog Day’ Is About as Perfect as a Movie Gets
Malcolm Jones
February 25, 2014
Analyze what the movie is calling for—not requiring, calling for.
Meet Alexandre Desplat, Hollywood’s Master Composer
Andrew Romano
February 11, 2014

Historical Examples of analyze

Analyze the organization of a group from the standpoint of the four wishes.
Introduction to the Science of Sociology
Robert E. Park
Analyze everything and everybody with which or whom you come in contact.
Thought-Culture
William Walker Atkinson
Analyze the peculiar contribution of Sorolla to modern painting.
Woman's Club Work and Programs
Caroline French Benton
Analyze your business with reference to its mental attitude.
Applied Psychology: Driving Power of Thought
Warren Hilton
Analyze the reading as to the use of pause and change of pitch.
Vocal Expression
Katherine Jewell Everts

Word Origin and History for analyze

c.1600, "to dissect," from French analyser, from analyse (see analysis). Literature sense is attested from 1610s; meaning in chemistry dates from 1660s. General sense of "to examine closely" dates from 1809; psychological sense is from 1909. Related: Analyzed; analyzing.