transitive verb
1
: to study or determine the nature and relationship of the parts of (something) by analysis
2
: to subject to scientific or grammatical analysis
chemically analyze a specimen
Synonyms
Choose the Right Synonym for analyze
analyze, dissect, break down mean to divide a complex whole into its parts or elements.
analyze suggests separating or distinguishing the component parts of something (such as a substance, a process, a situation) so as to discover its true nature or inner relationships.
analyzed the collected data
dissect suggests a searching analysis by laying bare parts or pieces for individual scrutiny.
commentators dissected every word of the speech
break down implies a reducing to simpler parts or divisions.
Example Sentences
While Wroe offers some basic biographical information and quotes copiously from Shelley’s writings, she does not tell a chronological story or analyze individual poems.
—
Adam Kirsch, New Yorker, 27 Aug. 2007
They are not doing the math. Doing the math would mean demonstrating that the voters’ intuitive judgments are roughly what they would get if they analyzed the likely effects of candidates’ policies, and this is a difficult calculation to perform.
—Louis Menand, New Yorker, 30 Aug. 2004
Ms. Magazine‘s online daily weblog, written by Christine Cupaiuolo, analyzes the representation of women in media and popular culture. Here are excerpts from recent postings.
—Ms., Fall 2003
The data was recorded and analyzed by computer.
We took the sample to be chemically analyzed by a lab.
Researchers are busy analyzing the results of the study.
The bacteria were analyzed under a powerful microscope.
See More
Recent Examples on the Web
Experts recommend doctors analyze health from a more well-rounded perspective, including BMI, body composition, and metabolic health.
—Julia Landwehr, Health, 27 Mar. 2023
Critics of film tax credits, which include economists and researchers who analyze programs for state agencies, say the tax breaks do not benefit the states and film tax credits are spent by producers outside the state.
—John Sharp, al, 26 Mar. 2023
Preciado has said the ad hoc committee will analyze the nonprofit’s programs and local policies and gather community feedback over the course of two to three months.
—Tammy Murga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Mar. 2023
Experts analyze the letters and conclude that Koresh may be mentally unwell and have no plans of leaving.
—Jasmine Washington, Seventeen, 23 Mar. 2023
On the podcast, Rivers and Litman analyze The Bachelor, The Bachelorette, Bachelor in Paradise and other reality TV shows.
—Adam England, Peoplemag, 23 Mar. 2023
But her videos have already been re-uploaded and circulated on other platforms like Twitter and Reddit, where people continue to analyze them.
—Daysia Tolentino, NBC News, 23 Mar. 2023
For example, the AI art generator called Stable Diffusion gained its ability to generate images from text descriptions after researchers trained an AI model to analyze hundreds of millions of images scraped from the Internet.
—Benj Edwards, Ars Technica, 22 Mar. 2023
Researchers used certain models to analyze the effect of human HCC on dog HCC.
—Mac Stone, Discover Magazine, 21 Mar. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word ‘analyze.’ Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
probably by back-formation from analysis, with -is taken as a suffix, and -ys- identified with the verb-forming suffix -ize, spelled -yze/-ize/-yse/-ise in the 17th century
Note:
Alternatively, the verb could arise by haplology from*analysise. Note that analysis comes into vernacular use only a couple decades before the verb. Compare analyst.
First Known Use
1587, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Time Traveler
The first known use of analyze was
in 1587
Dictionary Entries Near analyze
Cite this Entry
“Analyze.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/analyze. Accessed 14 Apr. 2023.
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More from Merriam-Webster on analyze
Last Updated:
30 Mar 2023
— Updated example sentences
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
анализировать, разбирать, продумывать, разлагать
глагол
- делать анализ, подвергать анализу, подробно исследовать, анализировать
- амер.; = analyse
Мои примеры
Словосочетания
analyze the evidence in a criminal trial — анализ улик в уголовном процессе 
to analyze data — анализировать данные
carefully analyze — подвергать тщательному анализу
analyze in rigorous terms — подвергать строгому анализу
analyze legally — тщательно продумать с юридической точки зрения
analyze performance — анализ быстродействия
analyze rigorously — подвергать строгому анализу
analyze table — анализ таблицы
analyze the retaining wall for bearing on ground — рассчитывать подпорную стенку из условия прочности основания
analyze the retaining wall for tension in joints — рассчитывать подпорную стенку из условия прочности соединений
analyze the solution of a problem — анализировать решение задачи
Примеры с переводом
It will be instructive to analyze the results.
Было бы полезно проанализировать результаты.
The data was recorded and analyzed by computer.
Данные были записаны и проанализированы с помощью компьютера.
It is disappointing to analyze the results.
Анализ результатов неутешителен.
I was analyzed in Vienna by a famous psychiatrist
Я была исследована известным психиатром в Вене.
Joe had never tried to analyze their relationship.
До этого Джо никогда не пытался анализировать их отношения.
We took the sample to be chemically analyzed by a lab.
Мы взяли образец для проведения химического анализа в лаборатории.
The bacteria were analyzed under a powerful microscope.
Бактерии были тщательно изучены под мощным микроскопом.
Researchers are busy analyzing the results of the study.
Исследователи заняты анализом результатов исследования.
Space is a strange and unique item—you can’t take it to a lab and analyze it like beef jerky.
Пространство — это странный и уникальный в своем роде предмет: его нельзя проанализировать в лаборатории, как кусок вяленой говядины.
Примеры, ожидающие перевода
A programmer needs to analyze and conceptualize in order to solve problems. 
Для того чтобы добавить вариант перевода, кликните по иконке ☰, напротив примера.
Возможные однокоренные слова
analyzed — анализированный, разобранный, подвергнутый анализу
analyzer — анализатор
analyzable — поддающийся анализу, анализируемый
Other forms: analyzed; analyzing; analyzes
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.
Definitions of analyze
-
verb
break down into components or essential features
“analyze today’s financial market”
-
synonyms:
analyse
-
verb
consider in detail and subject to an analysis in order to discover essential features or meaning
“analyze a sonnet by Shakespeare”
“analyze the evidence in a criminal trial”
“analyze your real motives”
-
synonyms:
analyse, canvas, canvass, delve, examine, parse, study
see moresee less-
types:
- show 30 types…
- hide 30 types…
-
anatomise, anatomize
analyze down to the smallest detail
-
diagnose, name
determine or distinguish the nature of a problem or an illness through a diagnostic analysis
-
diagnose
subject to a medical analysis
-
appraise, survey
consider in a comprehensive way
-
survey
make a survey of; for statistical purposes
-
compare
examine and note the similarities or differences of
-
check, check into, check out, check over, check up on, go over, look into, suss out
examine so as to determine accuracy, quality, or condition
-
assay
analyze (chemical substances)
-
reexamine, review
look at again; examine again
-
audit, inspect, scrutinise, scrutinize
examine carefully for accuracy with the intent of verification
-
screen
examine methodically
-
follow, trace
follow, discover, or ascertain the course of development of something
-
investigate, look into
investigate scientifically
-
sieve, sift
check and sort carefully
-
consider, look at, view
look at carefully; study mentally
-
process
analyze or examine so as to come to terms with
-
explore
examine (organs) for diagnostic purposes
-
explore
examine minutely
-
delve, explore, research, search
inquire into
-
explore
travel to or penetrate into
-
analogise, analogize
make an analogy
-
collate
compare critically; of texts
-
bioassay
subject to a bio-assay
-
examine, probe
question or examine thoroughly and closely
-
research
attempt to find out in a systematic and scientific manner
-
contemplate
look at thoughtfully; observe deep in thought
-
groak
look or stare at longingly
-
canvas, canvass, poll
get the opinions (of people) by asking specific questions
-
follow, keep an eye on, observe, watch, watch over
follow with the eyes or the mind
-
experiment
conduct a test or investigation
-
verb
make a mathematical, chemical, or grammatical analysis of; break down into components or essential features
“analyze a specimen”
“analyze a sentence”
“analyze a chemical compound”
-
synonyms:
analyse, break down, dissect, take apart
-
verb
subject to psychoanalytic treatment
“I was
analyzed in Vienna by a famous psychiatrist”-
synonyms:
analyse, psychoanalyse, psychoanalyze
DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘analyze’.
Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors.
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- Inflections of ‘analyze‘ (v): (⇒ conjugate)
-
- analyzes
- v 3rd person singular (US)
-
- analyzing
- v pres p (US)
-
- analyzed
- v past (US)
-
- analyzed
- v past p (US)
WordReference Random House Learner’s Dictionary of American English © 2023
an•a•lyze /ˈænəlˌaɪz/USA pronunciation
v. [~ + object], -lyzed, -lyz•ing.
- to examine or study something so as to separate it into the pieces that make it up, and to figure out its essential features:to analyze the blood on the murder weapon.
- to examine carefully and in detail so as to identify causes, key factors, possible results, etc.:They analyzed the political situation.
- Psychotherapyto psychoanalyze.
See -lys-.
- analyze is a verb, analysis is a noun, analytical is an adjective:The computer analyzed the data. The computer produced an analysis in seconds. She has an analytical mind.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2023
an•a•lyze
(an′l īz′),USA pronunciation v.t., -lyzed, -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.
- Psychotherapyto psychoanalyze:a patient who has been analyzed by two therapists.
Also,[esp. Brit.,] analyse.
- back formation from analysis (or from its Latin or Greek sources), with -ys- taken as —ize 1595–1605
an′a•lyz′a•ble, adj.
an′a•lyz′a•bil′isyl>ty, n.
an′a•ly•za′tion, n.
- 1.See corresponding entry in Unabridged break down.
- 2.See corresponding entry in Unabridged explicate.
- 1.See corresponding entry in Unabridged synthesize.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2023
an•a•lyse
(an′l īz′),USA pronunciation v.t., -lysed, -lys•ing. [Chiefly Brit.]
- analyze.
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
analyse, US analyze /ˈænəˌlaɪz/ vb (transitive)
- to examine in detail in order to discover meaning, essential features, etc
- to break down into components or essential features
- to make a mathematical, chemical, grammatical, etc, analysis of
- another word for psychoanalyse
Etymology: 17th Century: back formation from analysis
ˈanaˌlyser, US ˈanaˌlyzer n
‘analyze‘ also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):
There’s a lot of confusion around when to use analyse and analyze, since they’re two commonly accepted spellings of the same word.
So when should you use each variant?
The short answer is that it depends on whether you’re writing for a British audience or an American audience. Analyze is standard in American English, while analyse is standard in British English.
In this article, we’ll teach you the difference between analyse and analyze and show you when to use each word.
How to Spell Analyze (in American English and British English)
Analyze and analyse are two forms of the same verb. Their definition is “to examine something in detail, in order to discover more about it.»
You can use both analyze and analyse in the same sentences. Changing the spelling doesn’t change the meaning of the word.
The corresponding noun for both variants of this verb is “analysis.”
For example, you might use the verbs analyze or analyse to describe the act of conducting a scientific or grammatical analysis.
The only difference between the two spellings is the geographical audience you’re writing for.
Analyze is considered correct in areas that speak American English, such as the United States and Canada. If you’re communicating with a primarily American audience, you would write “I analyzed your chemical sample and sent you my report.”
Analyse is considered correct in areas that speak British English, such as Great Britain, India, and Australia. If you’re communicating with an audience in one of these areas, you would write “I analysed your chemical sample and sent you my report.”
TIP: To remember the difference between analyse and analyze, remember that the word “British” includes an S. The word analyse also includes an S, so it’s the preferred spelling in British English.
This tip is applicable to several other words that also follow this same pattern. Here are some more words that are spelled with an S in British English and a Z in American English:
- Catalyse (UK) and catalyze (US)
- Crystallise (UK) and crystallize (US)
- Organise (UK) and organize (US)
- Realise (UK) and realize (US)
To learn more about the differences between British and American English, check out our article on common alternate spellings.
Should You Use Analysing or Analyzing?
The words analysing and analyzing are the present participle forms of the verbs analyse and analyze.
The rules here are the same as the rules for analyze and analyse. Again, all you need to remember is that the version with an S is British English, while the version with a Z is American English.
If you’re writing for an audience that uses a different type of English from your own, you can use set your language choice on ProWritingAid to reflect that.
That way, the tool will tell you when you should be using an alternative spelling from the one you’re used to.
Examples of Analyse and Analyze (in American English and British English)
The best way to intuitively understand the difference between analyze and analyse is by seeing them in action. Let’s look at how news sources in different parts of the world use these two spellings.
Analyse Examples (British Spelling)
Here are some sentences that include the word analyse from British, Indian, and Australian publications, all of which use British English.
“While the actual examination will be of three hours in both the shifts, students will get a ‘cool off’ time of additional 15 minutes in each shift to read and analyse the questions and also to plan the answers accordingly.”—The Times of India
“Scots boffins are set to analyse slithers of a mystery specimen—in order to determine if it’s a potato.”—The Scottish Sun
“Training during the day limited work possibilities but it did allow time to prepare, analyse and train more.”—Sydney Morning Herald
“If an automated system analyses voters’ behaviour at poll booths, how accurate will this system be, what kind of data will be stored, and how will the secrecy of ballots be maintained?”—Medianama
“If consumers today use artificial intelligence to analyse their spending, they can not just save money but also make money by investing at right places.”—Financial Express
“Industry experts analyse the opportunities and the challenges brought about by the surge in VoD services in the Nordic countries.”—Cineuropa
“Before investing in a mutual fund SIP, analyse these 5 factors.”—Economic Times
“After the artificial intelligence algorithms have analysed the video feed, the processed images are eliminated from the system in a ‘matter of milliseconds.’”—RailTech
“She then started to analyse the link between the wearing of sunglasses and the broader phenomenon of ‘what it is to be cool.’”—The Guardian
Analyze Examples (American Spelling)
Here are some sentences that include the word analyze from American and Canadian publications.
“A federal agency failed to adequately analyze the environmental harm that could be caused by increasing the size of a southeastern Montana coal mine that feeds a nearby power plant before approving an expansion permit.”—US News
“Businesses must analyze real-time trends to grasp the breadth of the disability economy.”—Forbes
“As a result of this approach, enterprises and users in over 50 countries have been able to analyze larger volumes of observability data, drastically reduce costs, and enable faster MTTR without the manual toil of traditional platforms.”—NBC
“Using artificial intelligence to analyze vast amounts of data in atomic-scale images, Stanford researchers answered long-standing questions about an emerging type of rechargeable battery posing competition to lithium-ion chemistry.”—Stanford University News
“For its study, the center analyzed spending and achievement data from the 2007-08 school year for about 9,000 school systems.”—Washington Post
“Filmmaker Nanfu Wang, who was in China with her son visiting family for Chinese New Year in January 2020, imbues the scenes with her own pandemic story, as she analyzes how China stage-managed the catastrophe.”—Los Angeles Times
“Analyzing the brain changes that occur in the first stages of juvenile fibromyalgia could help to better understand the pathophysiology of this syndrome, which had not been approached from this perspective to date.”—Medical Xpress
“The latest book by Liliana Naydan, associate professor of English at Penn State Abington, analyzes mainstream literary fiction by authors writing about the United States from the time of the Y2K crisis to the onset of the pandemic.”—Penn State News
“By analyzing data on a player’s in-game behavior, the goal of the position will be to make gaming an increasingly interactive experience.”—Financial Post
Conclusion on Analyse or Analyze / Analysing or Analyzing
As an easy rule of thumb, remember that analyse is used in British English, while analyze is used in American English.
What are some words with multiple spellings that you tend to get mixed up? Let us know in the comments.
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