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

However, these recent firings raise a real risk that senior officers will be overly cautious about providing their best advice and, therefore, that the chance for military miscalculation will grow dramatically. — William H. McRaven, The Atlantic, 25 June 2026

Her attorneys argued the delay was caused by a miscalculation related to a leap year. — Nicole Acosta, PEOPLE, 24 June 2026

That proved to be a massive miscalculation. — Michael Bernick, Forbes.com, 23 June 2026

Revealing Sugar’s true nature most of the way through the first season was a miscalculation of what might hook an audience into its sci-fi-noir premise, more alienating (no pun intended) than inviting to be sure. — Andy Andersen, Vulture, 19 June 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