Review vs. Analyze: What's the Difference?
Edited by Harlon Moss || By Janet White || Updated on October 3, 2023
"Review" means to examine something critically, often for evaluation or summary, while "Analyze" means to examine in detail to interpret or understand, often by breaking it into smaller parts.
Key Differences
Review" and "Analyze" are both verbs that involve examining something closely, but they differ in intent and depth. When you "review," you are evaluating or summarizing, often providing an assessment. For example, you may review a book and give it a star rating. "Analyze," on the other hand, is more about dissecting something to understand its components and how they relate to each other. You might analyze the themes and character development in the same book.
In a professional context, "review" could mean scrutinizing a document for errors or completeness. "Analyze" would entail breaking down the data in the document to extract insights or trends. Both verbs imply a thorough process, but "analyze" usually goes deeper, often involving specialized knowledge or skills.
Grammatically, both "review" and "analyze" can be used as verbs and nouns. However, their usage varies. You can have a "movie review" (noun) or "review a movie" (verb). Similarly, you can conduct a "financial analysis" (noun) or "analyze financial data" (verb).
In summary, "review" is generally a broader, evaluative term, while "analyze" is more specific and often involves breaking down a subject into its constituent parts to understand it better.
Comparison Chart
Meaning
Examine for evaluation or summary
Examine in detail for interpretation
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Context
General or professional evaluation
In-depth understanding requiring specialized knowledge
Grammatical Role
Both verb and noun
Both verb and noun
Synonyms
Assess, evaluate
Examine, scrutinize
Antonyms
Ignore, overlook
Neglect, disregard
Review and Analyze Definitions
Review
Reexamination
The case is under review by the judiciary.
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Analyze
Investigation
The detective will analyze the evidence.
Review
Scrutiny
The editor will review your manuscript for errors.
Analyze
Interpretation
The therapist will analyze your dreams.
Review
To look over, study, or examine again
Reviewed last week's lesson.
Analyze
In-depth Study
The student will analyze the effects of climate change.
Review
To consider retrospectively; look back on
Reviewed the day's events.
Analyze
To examine methodically by separating into parts and studying their interrelations.
Review
To examine with an eye to criticism or correction
Reviewed the research findings.
Analyze
(Chemistry) To make a chemical analysis of.
Review
To write or give a critical report on (a new work or performance, for example).
Analyze
(Mathematics) To make a mathematical analysis of.
Review
(Law) To evaluate (a decision made by or action taken by a lower court) to determine whether any error was made.
Analyze
To psychoanalyze.
Review
To subject to a formal inspection, especially a military inspection.
Analyze
(transitive) To subject to analysis.
Review
To go over or restudy material
Reviewing for a final exam.
Analyze
(transitive) To resolve (anything complex) into its elements.
Review
To write critical reviews, especially for a newspaper or magazine.
Analyze
(transitive) To separate into the constituent parts, for the purpose of an examination of each separately.
Review
A reexamination or reconsideration.
Analyze
(transitive) To examine in such a manner as to ascertain the elements or nature of the thing examined; as, to analyze a fossil substance, to analyze a sentence or a word, or to analyze an action to ascertain its morality.
Review
A retrospective view or survey.
Analyze
To subject to analysis; to resolve (anything complex) into its elements; to separate into the constituent parts, for the purpose of an examination of each separately; to examine in such a manner as to ascertain the elements or nature of the thing examined; to consider in detail in order to discover essential features or meaning; as, to analyze an action to ascertain its morality; to analyse a sonnet by Shakespeare; to analyse the evidence in a criminal trial; to analyse your real motives.
No one, I presume, can analyze the sensations of pleasure or pain.
Review
A restudying of subject matter.
Analyze
Make a mathematical, chemical, or grammatical analysis of; break down into components or essential features; as, to analyse a specimen; to analyze a fossil substance; to analyze a sentence or a word; to analyse a chemical compound.
Review
An exercise for use in restudying material.
Analyze
Subject to psychoanalytic treatment.
Review
A report or essay giving a critical estimate of a work or performance.
Analyze
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
Review
A periodical devoted to articles and essays on current affairs, literature, or art.
Analyze
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
Review
An inspection or examination for the purpose of evaluation.
Analyze
Break down into components or essential features;
Analyze today's financial market
Review
A formal military inspection.
Analyze
Subject to psychoanalytic treatment;
I was analyzed in Vienna by a famous psychiatrist
Review
A formal military ceremony held in honor of a person or occasion.
Analyze
Examination for Understanding
The scientist will analyze the data.
Review
(Law) An evaluation conducted by a higher court of a decision made or action taken by a lower court to determine whether any error was made.
Analyze
Break Down Into Components
She will analyze the sentence structure.
Review
A musical show consisting of often satirical skits, songs, and dances; a revue.
Review
A second or subsequent reading of a text or artifact in an attempt to gain new insights.
I need to make a review of the book before I can understand it.
Review
An account intended as a critical evaluation of a text or a piece of work.
The newspaper review was full of praise for the play.
Review
(legal) A judicial reassessment of a case or an event.
The victims demanded a full judicial review of the case.
Review
A stage show made up of topical sketches etc.
The Cambridge Footlights Review launched many Monty Python faces.
Review
A survey of the available items or material.
The magazine contained a review of Paris restaurants.
Review
A periodical which makes a survey of the arts or some other field.
The Times Literary Review is published in London.
Review
A military inspection or display for the benefit of superiors or VIPs.
The troops assembled for a review by the Queen.
Review
A forensic inspection to assess compliance with regulations or some code.
The regulators demanded a review against NYSE practices.
Review
To survey; to look broadly over.
Before I tackle the question directly, I must briefly review historical approaches to the problem.
Review
To write a critical evaluation of a new art work etc.; to write a review.
The critic reviews every new play in London.
Review
To look back over in order to correct or edit; to revise.
Review
To look over again (something previously written or learned), especially in preparation for an examination.
Review
(obsolete) To view or see again; to look back on.
Review
(obsolete) To retrace; to go over again.
Review
To view or see again; to look back on.
Review
To go over and examine critically or deliberately.
Review
To retrace; to go over again.
Shall I the long, laborious scene review?
Review
To look back; to make a review.
Review
A second or repeated view; a reëxamination; a retrospective survey; a looking over again; as, a review of one's studies; a review of life.
Review
An examination with a view to amendment or improvement; revision; as, an author's review of his works.
Review
A critical examination of a publication, with remarks; a criticism; a critique.
Review
A periodical containing critical essays upon matters of interest, as new productions in literature, art, etc.
Review
An inspection, as of troops under arms or of a naval force, by a high officer, for the purpose of ascertaining the state of discipline, equipments, etc.
Review
The judicial examination of the proceedings of a lower court by a higher.
Review
A lesson studied or recited for a second time.
Review
A new appraisal or evaluation
Review
An essay or article that gives a critical evaluation (as of a book or play)
Review
A subsequent examination of a patient for the purpose of monitoring earlier treatment
Review
(accounting) a service (less exhaustive than an audit) that provides some assurance to interested parties as to the reliability of financial data
Review
A variety show with topical sketches and songs and dancing and comedians
Review
A periodical that publishes critical essays on current affairs or literature or art
Review
A summary at the end that repeats the substance of a longer discussion
Review
(law) a judicial reexamination of the proceedings of a court (especially by an appellate court)
Review
Practice intended to polish performance or refresh the memory
Review
A formal or official examination;
The platoon stood ready for review
We had to wait for the inspection before we could use the elevator
Review
Look at again; examine again;
Let's review your situation
Review
Appraise critically;
She reviews books for the New York Times
Please critique this performance
Review
Hold a review (of troops)
Review
Refresh one's memory;
I reviewed the material before the test
Review
Look back upon (a period of time, sequence of events, etc.); remember;
She reviewed her achievements with pride
Review
Evaluation of Content
The critic wrote a review of the new movie.
Review
Summary
The review at the end of the chapter helps students.
Review
Reassessment
I will review my goals at the end of the year.
FAQs
Can "review" mean revisiting something?
Yes, like reviewing study material for an exam.
Is specialized knowledge required to "analyze"?
Often, but not always—context matters.
Does "analyze" mean to find solutions?
Not necessarily, it’s more about understanding components.
Is "analyze" only for scientific contexts?
No, it can apply to various disciplines including literature and economics.
Can you "analyze" without "reviewing"?
Unlikely, as analysis usually includes some form of review.
Is "analyze" impartial?
It aims to be, though human bias can affect it.
Can "review" be quick?
It can be, depending on what's being reviewed.
Can "review" be a noun?
Yes, as in 'book review.'
Can "analyze" be a noun?
In noun form, it's usually "analysis."
Is "review" always a formal process?
No, it can be informal, like reviewing a book for a blog.
Can "review" involve recommendations?
Yes, such as recommending changes in a document.
Can a "review" be negative?
Yes, if the evaluation finds flaws.
Is a "review" always written?
No, it can be oral too.
Is "analyze" synonymous with "evaluate"?
No, "analyze" is more in-depth and may not involve evaluation.
Is "analyze" a longer process?
Generally, yes, because it involves in-depth study.
About Author
Written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
Edited by
Harlon MossHarlon is a seasoned quality moderator and accomplished content writer for Difference Wiki. An alumnus of the prestigious University of California, he earned his degree in Computer Science. Leveraging his academic background, Harlon brings a meticulous and informed perspective to his work, ensuring content accuracy and excellence.
