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

The ordeal began with a miscalculation in northern Chile, just south of Calama, where energy demands quickly exceeded expectations. —Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 19 Apr. 2026

Still, any miscalculation or direct confrontation at sea could tip the diplomatic posturing into rapid deterioration and risk jeopardizing the fragile stability in the detente between Washington and Beijing. —Anniek Bao, CNBC, 15 Apr. 2026

In 2023, the State Board of Accounts audit found the miscalculations in the PTRC, Wieser said. —Alexandra Kukulka, Chicago Tribune, 14 Apr. 2026

If Archer Western’s allegations in court are correct, the arch design miscalculations set back completion to 2025. —Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 8 Apr. 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