analyze

[ an-l-ahyz ]

verb (used with object)

, an·a·lyzed, an·a·lyz·ing.

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

Other Words From

• an·a·lyz·a·ble adjective
• an·a·lyz·a·bil·i·ty [an-l-ahyz-, uh, -, bil, -i-tee], noun
• an·a·ly·za·tion [an-l-ahy-, zey, -sh, uh, n], noun
• mis·an·a·lyze verb (used with object) misanalyzed misanalyzing
• non·an·a·lyz·a·ble adjective
• non·an·a·lyzed adjective
• o·ver·an·a·lyze verb overanalyzed overanalyzing
• re·an·a·lyz·a·ble adjective
• re·an·a·lyze verb (used with object) reanalyzed reanalyzing
• un·an·a·lyz·a·ble adjective
• un·an·a·lyz·a·bly adverb
• un·an·a·lyzed adjective
• un·an·a·lyz·ing adjective
• well-an·a·lyzed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of analyze¹

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

Example Sentences

Strictly using observational methods to analyze the behaviors of civets have suggested insufficient.

From Science Daily

The collaboration is currently analyzing the first three years of collected data and expects to present updated measurements of dark energy and the expansion history of our universe in spring 2025.

From Science Daily

A state law approved last year commissioned a study to analyze opportunities for and obstacles to increasing social housing in California.

From Los Angeles Times

In a new study, the international collaborators analyzed the genomes of more than 48,000 individual breast cells from women without cancer, using novel techniques for decoding the genes of single cells.

From Science Daily

After approximately 15 minutes, once the card has dried, it is sent by regular mail to a laboratory, where modern high-sensitivity techniques are used to analyze it.

From Science Daily

Related Words

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