1
as in shrewd
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2
as in cunning
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1
as in figuring
to determine (a value) by doing the necessary mathematical operations
the family has been calculating what a week at the beach resort would end up costing
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2
as in estimating
to decide the size, amount, number, or distance of (something) without actual measurement
I calculate that this job will take another two days to finish
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3
as in planning
to work out the details of (something) in advance
calculated the best route to take to the coast
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4
as in intending
to have in mind as a purpose or goal
I calculate to run a marathon from start to finish—even if it kills me
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5
as in relying
to place reliance or trust
we know we can calculate on you following through, whatever the assignment
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of calculating
Rebekah Frumkin, Washington Post, 6 Sep. 2019
And experts believe that his intuitive style could throw the more calculating Caruana, who has faced time crunches already in this championship, off-balance.
—Joshua Robinson, WSJ, 27 Nov. 2018
Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 25 Mar. 2026
Hoopes’ paper, published last week, noted that the wealth tax backers used a more simple methodology for calculating tax revenue, while the Hoover Institute went more in the weeds.
—Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 25 Mar. 2026
Munn revealed she had been diagnosed in 2023, thanks to her doctor calculating her Breast Cancer Risk Assessment score, which looks at factors like Munn's age, family breast cancer history and having her first child after age 30.
—Erin Jensen, USA Today, 24 Mar. 2026
That's because the formula for calculating fees has changed due to a 2023 bill.
—Esme Murphy, CBS News, 23 Mar. 2026
There are the striving, dysfunctional parents, and the politically calculating peers.
—Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 23 Mar. 2026
Together, these variables can cause inconsistencies between how many calories a food actually contains and how many are listed on that food’s nutrition label — even if a company has made an earnest attempt at calculating them.
—Kaitlin Sullivan, NBC news, 22 Mar. 2026
Daniel Wu heads the 1994 storyline as a calculating and driven senior police officer, Peter Choi, Deputy Commissioner of Police Operations – his first Hong Kong film role in six years.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 20 Mar. 2026
Iranian drone strikes on Amazon data centers in Bahrain and the UAE set a new precedent for calculating the risk of storing information and computing power in the Gulf.
—Kelsey Warner, semafor.com, 19 Mar. 2026
Adjective
Even Alex becomes too entangled in her students’ dealings and ends up suffering at the hands of one of the more calculating boys.
—Rebekah Frumkin, Washington Post, 6 Sep. 2019
And experts believe that his intuitive style could throw the more calculating Caruana, who has faced time crunches already in this championship, off-balance.
—Joshua Robinson, WSJ, 27 Nov. 2018
Verb
Eric is charming, calculating, and accustomed to always getting his way at all costs.
—Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 25 Mar. 2026
Hoopes’ paper, published last week, noted that the wealth tax backers used a more simple methodology for calculating tax revenue, while the Hoover Institute went more in the weeds.
—Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 25 Mar. 2026
Munn revealed she had been diagnosed in 2023, thanks to her doctor calculating her Breast Cancer Risk Assessment score, which looks at factors like Munn's age, family breast cancer history and having her first child after age 30.
—Erin Jensen, USA Today, 24 Mar. 2026
That's because the formula for calculating fees has changed due to a 2023 bill.
—Esme Murphy, CBS News, 23 Mar. 2026
There are the striving, dysfunctional parents, and the politically calculating peers.
—Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 23 Mar. 2026
Together, these variables can cause inconsistencies between how many calories a food actually contains and how many are listed on that food’s nutrition label — even if a company has made an earnest attempt at calculating them.
—Kaitlin Sullivan, NBC news, 22 Mar. 2026
Daniel Wu heads the 1994 storyline as a calculating and driven senior police officer, Peter Choi, Deputy Commissioner of Police Operations – his first Hong Kong film role in six years.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 20 Mar. 2026
Iranian drone strikes on Amazon data centers in Bahrain and the UAE set a new precedent for calculating the risk of storing information and computing power in the Gulf.
—Kelsey Warner, semafor.com, 19 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for calculating
Adjective
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Senna, whose light satirical touch brought us 2024’s terrific Colored Television, is shrewd on the conundrums unique to parents of color moving around mostly white spaces.—
Brittany Allen,
Literary Hub,
16 Mar. 2026
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The Seahawks crossed the finish line because of shrewd additions.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
11 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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In state media comedy shows, jokes about Putin are told from time to time, but they are used to bolster his image as a powerful, cunning leader, and hold up Russia as a great country.—
Neringa Klumbytė,
The Conversation,
4 Mar. 2026
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These ambitious, cunning, and often amoral Cold War operatives were usually marginal or even inconsequential figures at home.—
Alfred McCoy,
Literary Hub,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Some of it is figuring it out as the game goes on, finding hitters’ weaknesses and knowing how to match that.—
Steve Reaven,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Mar. 2026
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And some have backed off from a legal fight altogether and sold their refund rights to investment firms, often at a deep discount, figuring that getting something is better than risk getting nothing.—
Alison Graham Larson,
The Conversation,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Meanwhile security lines have ballooned with officials estimating wait times could reach four hours.—
Lautaro Grinspan,
AJC.com,
27 Mar. 2026
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At San Diego International Airport, a Thursday Union-Tribune story quoted one officer as estimating that 13% of his colleagues aren’t showing up.—
U T Editorial Board,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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After suffering a brutal knockout at UFC Seattle, Maycee Barber is already planning her comeback.—
Kyle Newman,
Denver Post,
31 Mar. 2026
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Browne’s family is planning an event honoring him in mid-May.—
Mary Ann Grossmann,
Twin Cities,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Tucker and her then-boyfriend, Daniel Ryan Garrett, broke into Dean’s apartment intending to steal motorcycle parts.—
Stephanie Nolasco,
FOXNews.com,
29 Mar. 2026
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On July 16, 1999, Kennedy sat in the pilot’s seat of his single-engine plane, intending to drop off sister-in-law Lauren in Martha's Vineyard before continuing to Hyannis Port with his wife for cousin Rory Kennedy's wedding.—
Erin Jensen,
USA Today,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Critics had pointed to it as an example of the apparent risks of relying on Chinese financing to build out infrastructure projects, though the extent of this being an issue is hotly debated among experts.—
Jeronimo Gonzalez,
semafor.com,
31 Mar. 2026
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Instead of relying on a tired dobby border to maintain the towels’ shape, Frette instead opted for a tonal band of piping that goes all the way around the rounded bath staples.—
Nicole Hoey,
Robb Report,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Unseld was cagey about the playing-time restrictions for all three players, declining to share details about any of their medical limits during his pregame news conference.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Feb. 2026
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While department officials initially were cagey about whether pepper spray would be allowed at the new Kilpatrick, the department ultimately determined officers would not carry it.—
Jason Henry,
Daily News,
15 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Calculating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/calculating. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
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