estimate 1 of 2

estimate

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noun

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb estimate differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of estimate are appraise, assess, evaluate, rate, and value. While all these words mean "to judge something with respect to its worth or significance," estimate implies a judgment, considered or casual, that precedes or takes the place of actual measuring or counting or testing out.

estimated the crowd at two hundred

Where would appraise be a reasonable alternative to estimate?

The words appraise and estimate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, appraise commonly implies the fixing by an expert of the monetary worth of a thing, but it may be used of any critical judgment.

having their house appraised

When can assess be used instead of estimate?

While the synonyms assess and estimate are close in meaning, assess implies a critical appraisal for the purpose of understanding or interpreting, or as a guide in taking action.

officials are trying to assess the damage

When might evaluate be a better fit than estimate?

While in some cases nearly identical to estimate, evaluate suggests an attempt to determine relative or intrinsic worth in terms other than monetary.

evaluate a student's work

How are the words rate and estimate related?

Rate adds to estimate the notion of placing a thing according to a scale of values.

a highly rated restaurant

How do value and appraise relate to one another, in the sense of estimate?

Value equals appraise but without implying expertness of judgment.

a watercolor valued by the donor at $500

Examples 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 estimate
Verb
According to Crowley, preliminary reports estimated the number of damaged or destroyed structures to be in the thousands. Amaris Encinas, USA TODAY, 10 Jan. 2025 The United Nations estimates that 35 percent of global wetland area was lost between 1970 and 2015—a rate three times faster than deforestation. Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 Jan. 2025
Noun
Usually 15-20% higher than real-world estimates like the EPA. New Atlas, 10 Jan. 2025 Monitoring China's 'Monster Ship' North Korea Fires Hypersonic Missile in First Weapons Test of 2025 The new estimate represents an acceleration of 100 years compared to last year's projection, the center said. Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 9 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for estimate 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for estimate
Verb
  • He was assessed a major penalty and a game misconduct.
    Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 10 Jan. 2025
  • Jimmy Carter didn’t have to die before some historians and biographers, if not Republicans, began assessing his presidency more favorably, columnist Jackie Calmes writes.
    Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 10 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • The damages were calculated as a fraction of the infringing product’s price, multiplied by the number of units sold.
    Hikmat Mohammed, WWD, 17 Jan. 2025
  • For each role, the analysts calculated a composite score.
    Bryan Robinson, Forbes, 17 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • And the focus on getting a cease-fire, a hostage agreement was what was, in our estimation, the quickest and most durable way to get an end.
    Lulu Garcia-Navarro, New York Times, 4 Jan. 2025
  • Global All Stars was, by my estimation, a colossal failure.
    Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 3 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Without this context, the accuracy of risk assessments is undermined.
    Philip Caldwell, Baltimore Sun, 12 Jan. 2025
  • Although today they are not required to demonstrate this in an in-depth way, and caps on entry are not based on any sort of labor market needs assessment.
    Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 11 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • For better or worse, the Steelers value continuity above all else.
    Mike DeFabo, The Athletic, 14 Jan. 2025
  • This requires not only investment in talent and resources but also a cultural shift within the industry that values creativity, collaboration and consumer insight as much as financial performance.
    Humphrey Ho, Forbes, 14 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Cracking the code to prime numbers, figures only divisible by one and itself, means access to any computer across the globe.
    Kalia Richardson, Rolling Stone, 13 Jan. 2025
  • Tommy will surely need at least another season to figure it out.
    EW.com, EW.com, 13 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Refinances comprised about 80 percent of his appraisals.
    Grace Raynor, The Athletic, 14 Jan. 2025
  • Both the National Review and the National Interest have published scathing appraisals of Hegseth in the past few days.
    Jane Mayer, The New Yorker, 14 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • The first quarter of the New Year like performance brings evaluations and bonuses and promotion decisions.
    Bryan Robinson, Forbes, 17 Jan. 2025
  • The series, which includes in-depth evaluations and insight from sources on nearly 500 prospects, runs from Jan. 8 to Feb. 7.
    Scott Wheeler, The Athletic, 17 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near estimate

Cite this Entry

“Estimate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/estimate. Accessed 22 Jan. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on estimate

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