What is a better word for assess?

What is a better word for assess depends on context, but more precise synonyms can make writing clearer. Assess means to evaluate or judge, so better words might include evaluate, which is most direct synonym for judging value or quality, analyze which implies detailed examination, appraise which implies estimating value, especially financial or property value, review which implies looking over to judge, examine which implies close inspection, judge which emphasizes forming opinion, estimate which implies approximate calculation, measure which implies quantifying, or gauge which implies assessing extent. For example, instead of assess performance, you could say evaluate performance, which is more common in workplace, or instead of assess damage, say evaluate damage or estimate damage. In academic context, assess learning could be evaluate learning or measure learning. In business, assess risk could be analyze risk or gauge risk. Choosing a better word means picking one that specifies whether you are measuring, judging, estimating, or analyzing, rather than using general assess. Evaluate is usually best all purpose replacement that is clearer.