Definition of anatomizenext
as in to analyze
to identify and examine the basic elements or parts of (something) especially for discovering interrelationships if you anatomize the problem, you'll see it stems from a combination of her bad behavior and your unwillingness to speak to her about it

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of anatomize The film joins countless other creative efforts to understand and anatomize the movie star born Norma Jeane Mortensen, including biopics, TV series, biographies, photo books, essays, and even plays. — Nathan Smith, Vulture, 23 Sep. 2022 And some of it was a compulsive need to re-define and re-anatomize what Carmichael and Hamilton had already defined and anatomized so well. — Samanth Subramanian, Quartz, 1 Apr. 2021 Kundera, meanwhile, made his career on novels that anatomized kitsch and subsequently became kitsch, thanks to a generation of earnest high schoolers. — Alex Shephard, The New Republic, 9 Oct. 2019 This is just one of many intergenerational failings that Kafka anatomizes. — Jeremy Eichler, BostonGlobe.com, 18 June 2018
Recent Examples of Synonyms for anatomize
Verb
  • Instead, those technologies automated routine work — and increased the value of workers who could analyze information, solve problems, and advise people.
    — Mary Moreland, Fortune, 7 Oct. 2026
  • The county’s diversification is about average compared to the 23 other counties analyzed by this specific measure but is high compared to typical United States counties.
    — Lizzie Kane, Sacbee.com, 7 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • The replay spread across social media, where fans dissected the contact frame by frame and once again accused WNBA officials of allowing opponents to take non-basketball shots at Clark without immediate consequences.
    — Jackson Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Far from the only injury news to dissect Horn and Jackson aren’t the only ones who left Cleveland hurt.
    — Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 28 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • In the fourth quarter, left tackle Rashawn Slater lay for several moments on the turf and was examined by medical staff before rising to his feet and walking gingerly to the sideline with an ankle injury.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2026
  • His father did not reply but squatted down to examine the man.
    — Rachel Heng, New Yorker, 4 Oct. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Anatomize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/anatomize. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!