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 challenge is not a lack of capital, but rather a dangerous and systemic miscalculation of ecosystem fragility across the financial models that govern our economies. —Nina Seega, Forbes.com, 11 June 2026

So, even tiny errors can result in game-losing miscalculations. —Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 7 June 2026

Several news organizations made the same miscalculation, but none was displayed gleefully by Truman for what has become an iconic photograph. —Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 6 June 2026

An unconvincing 3-2 victory had the feeling of a miscalculation, especially when Newcastle succumbed late again the following weekend by losing 3-2 at home to Everton. —George Caulkin, New York Times, 25 May 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