Assess — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb /ə-ˈses/ as·sess

Meaning & Definition of Assess

Assess (verb)

  1. to examine and make a judgment about (as with regard to nature, importance, size, or value)
  2. to determine the rate or amount of (something, such as a tax, charge, or fine)
  3. to impose (something, such as a tax) according to an established rate

Assess (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to establish or apply as a charge or penalty

    "the utility company will assess a fee if your payment is late"

    similar: charge, exact, fine, impose, lay, levy, put
    related: dock, excise, mulct, penalize, tax, extort, shake down, wrest, wring, bleed, fleece, gouge, milk, skin, squeeze, coerce, compel, force, inflict, wreak, set, reapply, reimpose, relay
    opposite: remit
    near: abate, diminish, lessen, forgive, release, condone, disregard, excuse, gloss (over), gloze (over), ignore, pardon

  2. to make an approximate or tentative judgment regarding

    "let's step back and assess the situation"

    similar: appraise, estimate, evaluate, guesstimate, rate, set, valuate, value
    related: adjudge, deem, judge, ascertain, determine, discover, learn, price, prize, decide, settle, analyze, assay, survey, test, reappraise, reassess, reevaluate, rejudge, revalue, transvaluate, transvalue, misesteem, misjudge, misprize, underestimate, undervalue

Related Entry: Reassess (verb)

Reassess is a different word from Assess. The synonyms below are for reassess, not for assess.

  1. to think about (something) again in order to decide whether to change your opinion or judgment of it

    "The doctor reassessed the injury."

    "She convinced him to reassess the issue."

    similar: reappraise, reevaluate, rejudge, revalue, appraise, assess, estimate, evaluate, guesstimate, rate, set, valuate, value, adjudge, deem, judge, ascertain, determine, discover, learn, price, prize, decide, settle, analyze, assay, survey, test, transvaluate, transvalue, misesteem, misjudge, misprize, underestimate, undervalue

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Assess

The most common words with a similar meaning to Assess:

charge, exact, fine, impose, lay, levy, put, appraise, estimate, evaluate, guesstimate, rate, set, valuate, value

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Assess

Words with the opposite meaning of Assess:

remit

Related Words for Assess

dock, excise, mulct, penalize, tax, extort, shake down, wrest, wring, bleed, fleece, gouge, milk, skin, squeeze, coerce, compel, force, inflict, wreak, reapply, reimpose, relay, adjudge, deem, judge, ascertain, determine, discover, learn

Near Antonyms of Assess

abate, diminish, lessen, forgive, release, condone, disregard, excuse, gloss (over), gloze (over), ignore, pardon

Word Forms of Assess

Inflections: assessed, assessing, assesses

Origin & Etymology of Assess

Middle English, probably from Medieval Latin assessus, past participle of assidēre, from Latin, to sit beside, assist in the office of a judge assize

First known use: 15th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Assess

Words & Phrases Containing Assess

reassess

Frequently Asked Questions about Assess

What does "Assess" mean?

"Assess" means to examine and make a judgment about (as with regard to nature, importance, size, or value). As a verb, it is defined as: to examine and make a judgment about (as with regard to nature, importance, size, or value). It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Assess"?

Other words for "Assess" include charge, exact, fine, impose, lay, levy, put and appraise. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Assess" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Assess"?

There are 65 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Assess". Common alternatives include charge, exact, fine, impose, lay, levy, put, appraise, estimate and evaluate.

What is the opposite of "Assess"?

Antonyms of "Assess" include remit. Near antonyms include abate, diminish, lessen and forgive.

How do you use "Assess" in a sentence?

Examples of "Assess" in a sentence: "the utility company will assess a fee if your payment is late"; "let's step back and assess the situation".

Is "Assess" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Assess" is a verb.

Is "Assess" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a B2-level word, "Assess" is typical of Cambridge B2 First (FCE), IELTS band 5.5–6.5, TOEFL iBT 72–94, PTE Academic 59–75, TOEIC Listening & Reading 785+.

How do you pronounce "Assess"?

"Assess" is pronounced /ə-ˈses/ and divided into syllables as as·sess.