* Examining something in detail.
* Gathering information about it.
* Analyzing that information.
* Forming an opinion about its quality, value, or effectiveness.
Here are some examples of assessing:
* A teacher assesses a student's work.
* A doctor assesses a patient's health.
* A company assesses the risks of a new project.
* A government assesses the impact of a new policy.
The word "assess" can also be used to mean determining the value of something, such as a property or a business.
Synonyms for assess:
* Evaluate
* Judge
* Rate
* Appraise
* Gauge
* Measure
* Estimate