assess

To examine someone or something and decide how good, important, or serious they are.

• We need to assess the damage.
• The teacher assessed our speaking skills.
• How do you assess the risks of this project?

How to use it: assess how… (We assessed how well the plan was working.); assess whether… (The team will assess whether the bridge is safe.)

Similar words: evaluate, judge, appraise

Common phrases: assess the damage, assess someone’s ability, assess the value, assess a situation

To officially require someone to pay money or receive a penalty.

• The referee assessed a penalty.
• The court assessed a fine against the company.
• Extra fees may be assessed for late payments.

How to use it: assess something against someone (A fine was assessed against the driver.); assess someone an amount (The court assessed him a fine of five hundred dollars.)

Similar words: impose, levy

Common phrases: assess a penalty, assess a fine