miscalculation

noun

mis·​cal·​cu·​la·​tion ˌmis-ˌkal-kyə-ˈlā-shən How to pronounce miscalculation (audio)
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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
But comfort didn't save him from one of the biggest miscalculations of his career. Devlina Sarkar, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 May 2025 Weakening the university-defense research partnership is a strategic miscalculation with far-reaching consequences. Sarah Kreps, Foreign Affairs, 29 Apr. 2025 His narrative shows how conflict often arises not from necessity, but from misreading, miscalculation and passions unmoored from reason. Andrew Latham, The Conversation, 15 Apr. 2025 City’s injury woes are part misfortune and part miscalculation. Megan Feringa, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for miscalculation

Word History

First Known Use

1653, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of miscalculation was in 1653

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Cite this Entry

“Miscalculation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/miscalculation. Accessed 20 May. 2025.

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