analyze
Americanverb (used with object)
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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
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to examine critically, so as to bring out the essential elements or give the essence of.
to analyze a poem.
- Synonyms:
- explicate
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to examine carefully and in detail so as to identify causes, key factors, possible results, etc.
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to subject to mathematical, chemical, grammatical, etc., analysis.
-
to psychoanalyze.
a patient who has been analyzed by two therapists.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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analyzabilitynoun
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analyzationnoun
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overanalyzeverb
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analyzableadjective
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nonanalyzableadjective
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nonanalyzedadjective
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reanalyzableadjective
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unanalyzableadjective
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unanalyzedadjective
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unanalyzingadjective
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well-analyzedadjective
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unanalyzablyadverb
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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analyzesimple
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analyzessimple
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have analyzedperfect
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has analyzedperfect
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am analyzingprogressive
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are analyzingprogressive
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is analyzingprogressive
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have been analyzingperfect progressive
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has been analyzingperfect progressive
Past
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analyzedsimple
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had analyzedperfect
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was analyzingprogressive
-
were analyzingprogressive
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had been analyzingperfect progressive
Future
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.
Vocabulary lists containing analyze
The SAT: Language of the Test, List 1
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The Language of Standardized Tests, List 1
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Tier 2 Words for the SBAC ELA Items
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“Over the past two weeks, we have worked closely with Anthropic to analyze and approve Fable 5 to ensure alignment across the U.S. government and strengthen America’s leadership in AI,” Lutnick said.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 30, 2026
"Even when patients are fully anesthetized, their brains continue to analyze the world around them."
From Science Daily • Jun. 29, 2026
West Hollywood-based Tinder, which has roughly 50 million monthly users, has been experimenting with using AI to analyze a user’s camera roll and recommend better matches.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 28, 2026
"We have to analyze what has happened and why they haven't produced results," he told AFP.
From Barron's • Jun. 20, 2026
One of the engineers wanted me to help him analyze some data from a flight test.
From "Reaching for the Moon" by Katherine Johnson
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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.