calculated

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adjective cal·cu·lat·ed \ -ˌlā-təd \

Definition of calculated

1 :apt, likely

2 a :worked out by mathematical calculation

b :engaged in, undertaken, or displayed after reckoning or estimating the statistical probability of success or failure

a calculated risk

3 a :planned or contrived to accomplish a purpose

b :deliberate, intended

a calculated attempt to deceive voters

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calculatedly

adverb

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calculatedness

noun

See calculated defined for English-language learners

Examples of calculated in a Sentence

took a calculated risk and got in on the ground floor of the new enterprise

Recent Examples of calculated from the Web

But Procter & Gamble took a calculated risk with its ad that features black mothers speaking to children about racial bias through the decades.

— kansascity, "Procter & Gamble takes calculated risk with ‘The Talk’ ad," 11 Aug. 2017
The residents' lawsuit argues that the city's enforcement of its building code and nuisance laws has been a calculated effort to demolish a neighborhood filled with people of modest means and replace it with a high-end subdivision.

— kristina goetz, The Courier-Journal, "In fight over property rights, city denies effort to wipe out low-income neighborhood," 11 Aug. 2017
But Procter & Gamble took a calculated risk with its ad that features black mothers speaking to children about racial bias through the decades.

— corey williams, The Seattle Times, "Procter & Gamble takes calculated risk with ‘The Talk’ ad," 11 Aug. 2017
Idaho GOP Sen. Mike Crapo played a central role in introducing and securing support for the Senate version of the bill, which is both a sharp rebuke to Russia and a calculated move to strengthen congressional oversight of sanctions.

— cynthia sewell, idahostatesman, "Idaho’s Crapo behind legislation to sanction Russia but says it’s not aimed at Trump," 25 July 2017
Still, those encounters can be quite affecting, not only because the world these characters inhabit seems calculated to limit their options and diminish their hopes, but because Diane continually struggles to make peace with her past.

— justin hayford, Chicago Reader, "Beauty’s Daughter is more showcase than show," 19 July 2017
But the movie’s alleged darkness is of the calculated sort.

— stephanie zacharek, Time, "Is a Masterpiece," 19 July 2017
His treatment there showed the calculated and petty cruelty that China’s government sometimes metes out to peaceful dissenters like Mr Liu.

— The Economist, "A Nobel laureate’s fateLiu Xiaobo, China’s best-known political prisoner, has died," 15 July 2017
And Pyongyang appeared unruffled by the calculated display of strength by the U.S. and South Korea.

— vanityfair.com, "Trump Threatens “Very Severe” Response to North Korea Crisis," 6 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'calculated.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.