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

But in addition to underestimating Netflix, the Ellisons may have made a pair of miscalculations, both involving Larry. —Reeves Wiedeman, Vulture, 12 Jan. 2026

Advertisement The greater, more immediate danger, as in Europe, lies in misstep or miscalculation. —Comfort Ero, Time, 9 Jan. 2026

The ice punishes the slightest miscalculations, demands the sharpest of focus. —Marcus Thompson Ii, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026

But as weapons deliveries accelerate and military exercises grow more aggressive, the margin for miscalculation around Taiwan continues to shrink. —Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 5 Jan. 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