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

Example 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
In the United States, it is estimated that 100,000 wolves were killed for their pelts each year between 1870 and 1877, according to the International Wolf Center. Ruth Sherlock, NPR, 9 July 2025 In 1988, the value of the 48-piece set was estimated at $500,000. Claudia Levens, jsonline.com, 9 July 2025
Noun
Those include the new work requirement that, by one estimate, could add $160 million in workload and other costs to local governments. Alex Derosier, Twin Cities, 9 July 2025 The study analyzed state- and county-level statistics from the U.S. Census Bureau's Small Area Rodent Signs dataset, published last year, which used estimates from the 2019 American Housing Survey. Soo Kim, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for estimate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for estimate
Verb
  • At the end of her first unschooling year, Bogart took a step back from her kids to assess their progress.
    Taylor Grothe, Parents, 9 July 2025
  • These answers will help companies assess the current talent bench, identify critical roles and determine the right mix of internal promotions versus external hires.
    Andrew Block, Forbes.com, 9 July 2025
Verb
  • That’s £200 off for a family of four, the ad calculates for its listeners.
    Brittany Anas, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025
  • The grade are calculated mostly based on how students do on state exams in language arts, math, science and social students.
    Zoey Thomas, The Orlando Sentinel, 15 July 2025
Noun
  • Her job was, in her estimation, a relic of a different time — the business no longer relies on broadcast network casting directors to discover talent through global searches and talent holding deals.
    Lacey Rose, HollywoodReporter, 11 July 2025
  • More than 100,000 Americans will be diagnosed with colon cancer this year, according to estimations by the American Cancer Society (ACS).
    Hannah Yasharoff, USA Today, 10 July 2025
Noun
  • The study focused solely on older adults; the average age at baseline for the men and women was 74.3 years, with follow-up assessments at around eight years later.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 11 July 2025
  • Pair leaderless group exercises with structured assessments.
    Vibhas Ratanjee, Forbes.com, 11 July 2025
Verb
  • The global clean beauty market, valued at $8.25 billion in 2023 and projected to reach $21.29 billion by 2030 with a 14.8% compound annual growth rate, has become increasingly crowded with brands promising transparency.
    Sughnen Yongo, Forbes.com, 12 July 2025
  • Folks living in areas affected by flooding are grappling with the aftermath of water damage to their homes and vehicles, among their most expensive and valued possessions.
    Charles Singh, USA Today, 11 July 2025
Verb
  • Manager Aaron Boone, however, figured that hitting bombs against his former team must have felt nice for Bellinger.
    Brendan Kuty, New York Times, 12 July 2025
  • And with depth at the position an issue, Nixon figures to log a heavy workload once again.
    Rob Reischel, Forbes.com, 11 July 2025
Noun
  • Yzerman’s appraisal of the market is revealing, though.
    Max Bultman, New York Times, 29 June 2025
  • Problem #2: Irrelevant Feedback Only 14% of employees believe their performance appraisal provides relevant and meaningful feedback, despite feedback being a cornerstone of leadership development curricula and an essential leadership skill.
    Mark Murphy, Forbes.com, 13 June 2025
Noun
  • This systematic evaluation approach distinguishes startups that merely use AI from those that truly innovate with it.
    Pradeep Kumar Muthukamatchi, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025
  • Then, in 2023, Cook’s son James and a researcher named Ian Mertz blew it wide open, devising an algorithm that solved the tree evaluation problem using much less space than anyone thought possible.
    Ben Brubaker, Wired News, 13 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Estimate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/estimate. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.

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