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 cold arithmetic of politics suggests none of these options end well.
—
Bobby Ghosh, Time, 20 Jan. 2026
Using basic arithmetic, that means the Nuggets outscored the Bucks by 20 points in the 15 minutes that Antetokounmpo sat on the bench on Sunday.
—Eric Nehm, New York Times, 12 Jan. 2026
That same arithmetic now applies to stylists, especially as designers increasingly pay them directly and competition for top clients intensifies.
—Merle Ginsberg, HollywoodReporter, 11 Jan. 2026
The arithmetic of loss never makes sense to me—who stays, who goes, and when.
—Liza Esquibias, PEOPLE, 31 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for arithmetic
Bobby Ghosh, Time, 20 Jan. 2026
Using basic arithmetic, that means the Nuggets outscored the Bucks by 20 points in the 15 minutes that Antetokounmpo sat on the bench on Sunday.
—Eric Nehm, New York Times, 12 Jan. 2026
That same arithmetic now applies to stylists, especially as designers increasingly pay them directly and competition for top clients intensifies.
—Merle Ginsberg, HollywoodReporter, 11 Jan. 2026
The arithmetic of loss never makes sense to me—who stays, who goes, and when.
—Liza Esquibias, PEOPLE, 31 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for arithmetic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for arithmetic
Noun
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Imagine Math is the only math vendor singled out for a $1 million appropriation in the Education Department’s budget that year.—
Nuria Martinez-Keel,
Oklahoma Voice,
19 Feb. 2026
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Alpha School then uses AI to evaluate students’ scores to determine their knowledge gaps on math, science, reading and language, which are considered core skills.—
Erick Trevino,
AZCentral.com,
18 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Assuming a federal tax rate of about 15% to 20% for new-vehicle buyers, the first-year deduction would translate into less than $750 in tax savings, according to Cox Automotive calculations.—
Mike Winters,
CNBC,
13 Feb. 2026
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In outpacing even most private-sector calculations, the INDEC inflation figure published Tuesday dispelled concerns — at least for now — that the government was cooking the books in any way comparable to his predecessors.—
Isabel Debre,
Fortune,
11 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Arithmetic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/arithmetic. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.
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