as in math
the act or process of performing mathematical operations to find a value
I haven't actually done the arithmetic yet, but I suspect we're losing money on the deal
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Recent Examples of arithmetic
The first was finite fields, number systems that operate according to a cyclical form of arithmetic.
—
Konstantin Kakaes, Quanta Magazine, 20 May 2026
Extending tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans while cutting programs working families depend on is arithmetic that does not work.
—Baltimore Sun Staff, Baltimore Sun, 20 May 2026
So instead, the agency has done some simple arithmetic: $6 million in operating expenses divided by 40,000 riders equals $150.
—Kaitlyn Tiffany, The Atlantic, 13 May 2026
Extrapolate those trend lines, and the arithmetic becomes alarming.
—Big Think, 4 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for arithmetic
Konstantin Kakaes, Quanta Magazine, 20 May 2026
Extending tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans while cutting programs working families depend on is arithmetic that does not work.
—Baltimore Sun Staff, Baltimore Sun, 20 May 2026
So instead, the agency has done some simple arithmetic: $6 million in operating expenses divided by 40,000 riders equals $150.
—Kaitlyn Tiffany, The Atlantic, 13 May 2026
Extrapolate those trend lines, and the arithmetic becomes alarming.
—Big Think, 4 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for arithmetic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for arithmetic
Noun
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Despite fluids’ chaotic math, near-identical whorls and gyres tend to emerge at almost every scale.—
Joseph Howlett,
Scientific American,
11 June 2026
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Pressure is mounting from more than 1,400 UC professors, and some internal studies show students performing below high school math levels.—
Jaweed Kaleem,
Los Angeles Times,
11 June 2026
Noun
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According to Bloomberg Intelligence calculations, Netflix would have about $75 billion in debt if the acquisition goes through based on the latest terms, up from about $15 billion now.—
Emily Graffeo,
Fortune,
11 Dec. 2025
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This hourly calculation may be too high though, since the average worker in the Victorian era probably worked closer to 66-75 hours per week, driving the hourly wage down closer to the Tweet’s calculation.—
James Folta,
Literary Hub,
11 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Arithmetic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/arithmetic. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
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