miscalculation

noun

mis·​cal·​cu·​la·​tion ˌmis-ˌkal-kyə-ˈlā-shən 

plural miscalculations

: a mistake in calculation : wrong calculation

a costly miscalculation

… ruled that utility shareholders, not electricity consumers, must pay for some or all of the miscalculations that resulted in excessive expansion or cost overruns.

—Peter Nulty

Synonyms of miscalculation

• mistake

Examples of miscalculation in a Sentence

treating her opponent as an intellectual lightweight was a serious miscalculation on her part

Recent Examples on the Web

During a meeting with the Chinese military in August, Australian Chief of the Defense Force, Admiral David Johnston, said all countries in the region must operate in a safe and professional manner at all times to avoid the risk of miscalculation or escalation. —Ryan Chan, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2025

Handshakes are a first step, but only a new agreement can verify compliance and reestablish the regular channels of communications that are critical to prevent a civilization-ending miscalculation. —Ernest J. Moniz, Variety, 23 Oct. 2025

But the post was a miscalculation. —Ed Caesar, New Yorker, 20 Oct. 2025

Space tracking is not perfectly accurate, and miscalculations are possible. —Tereza Pultarova, Space.com, 13 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1653, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for miscalculation

• abbreviation
• abomination
• acceleration
• accentuation
• accommodation
• accreditation
• acculturation
• accumulation
• acetylation
• adjudication
• administration
• adulteration