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

Perhaps the raccoon was simply embarrassed by the miscalculation of the size of its head in relation to the size of the hole. — Sean Joseph Outkick, FOXNews.com, 1 Nov. 2026

Miller, who is no relation to CFO Eric Miller, worked with Azari to review the district’s fiscal projections, which led to the miscalculation discovery. — Claire Murphy, Chicago Tribune, 28 Oct. 2026

Economic integration, semiconductor interdependence, and diplomatic engagement also do not eliminate the possibility of miscalculation. — Ningrong Liu, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026

But there is a lot of room for miscalculation by all parties. — Ali Vaez, Foreign Affairs, 15 Oct. 2026

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