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

Cary admits that thinking his mother would go after him and not Lucky was a miscalculation. — Sabrina Reed, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026

Dubas, for all of his brilliance over the past two seasons — especially his run of trades — made two miscalculations. — Josh Yohe, New York Times, 27 July 2026

And the epilogue, which takes place many years later, feels like a miscalculation. — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 16 July 2026

The problem is Will Ferrell as Lonnie Hawkins, an utter miscalculation of characterization and performance chiefly responsible for turning what could be middling comedy into an unbearable slog. — Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 16 July 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