estimate 1 of 2

estimate

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noun

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb estimate differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of estimate are appraise, assess, evaluate, rate, and value. While all these words mean "to judge something with respect to its worth or significance," estimate implies a judgment, considered or casual, that precedes or takes the place of actual measuring or counting or testing out.

estimated the crowd at two hundred

Where would appraise be a reasonable alternative to estimate?

The words appraise and estimate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, appraise commonly implies the fixing by an expert of the monetary worth of a thing, but it may be used of any critical judgment.

having their house appraised

When can assess be used instead of estimate?

While the synonyms assess and estimate are close in meaning, assess implies a critical appraisal for the purpose of understanding or interpreting, or as a guide in taking action.

officials are trying to assess the damage

When might evaluate be a better fit than estimate?

While in some cases nearly identical to estimate, evaluate suggests an attempt to determine relative or intrinsic worth in terms other than monetary.

evaluate a student's work

How are the words rate and estimate related?

Rate adds to estimate the notion of placing a thing according to a scale of values.

a highly rated restaurant

How do value and appraise relate to one another, in the sense of estimate?

Value equals appraise but without implying expertness of judgment.

a watercolor valued by the donor at $500

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of estimate
Verb
As the probes twinkle on and off, computational models estimate exactly where each molecule is located—and reconstruct a high-resolution image of the sample. Katarina Zimmer, JSTOR Daily, 14 Aug. 2025 Economists at Goldman Sachs estimate that foreign manufacturers have absorbed just 14% of the duties through June, while 22% has been paid by consumers and 64% by U.S. companies. Christopher Rugaber, Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 2025
Noun
That estimate should include related services such as lab tests or prescriptions. Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 Aug. 2025 One estimate shows the Loop's Northeast Corridor many not be done until 2045, or 40 years after the project was introduced in 2005. Leo Bertucci, The Courier-Journal, 26 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for estimate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for estimate
Verb
  • Ahead of the slate selection, the WFP held regular meetings with mayoral candidates, presenting data, building trust, and assessing commitment to collaboration.
    Theo Oshiro, New York Daily News, 14 Aug. 2025
  • Admissions officers assess your extracurricular record with an eye to initiative and authenticity.
    Liz Doe Stone, Forbes.com, 14 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • These aren't speculative bets — they're calculated investments in what companies see as the next fundamental computing platform.
    Daniel Newman, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2025
  • The rankings were calculated through evaluation of 26 relevant metrics under the main two categories—entertainment and recreation, and nightlife—which were given different weights in the total score.
    Jasmine Laws, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Two bad passes out of 86 is a good day on the ball by any estimation, but the reality of this position in Chelsea’s system is that any time possession is lost carries grave risk.
    Liam Twomey, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2025
  • Markets were hoping for a further signal of their estimations this week, at the Jackson Hole Symposium held by the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City.
    Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 18 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Safety assessments were missing for most treatments, with less than half of CAIMs having had any evaluation of the acceptability, tolerability or adverse events.
    Hannah Millington, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Aug. 2025
  • Damage assessment teams are still surveying the burn area, Cal Fire said, but fire officials said early estimates of crop damage from the blaze were expected to be at least $65 million.
    Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 28 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Even in economic uncertainty, people appreciate little extravagances; something extra that shows businesses still value them.
    Dan Gingiss, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2025
  • The objects are part of the seizure of a group of 135 antiquities valued at $58 million, according to the district attorney’s office.
    Michael Loria, USA Today, 30 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • However, the law doesn't say how schools should enforce their policies, leaving district and university officials to figure it out themselves.
    Bebe Hodges, The Enquirer, 29 Aug. 2025
  • The taboo of miscegenation makes up the body of the pagan cynocephalus, wherein religious difference is figured as racial difference, and, remarkably, as species difference (or crisis).
    The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 28 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • An appraisal fee can cost roughly $300 to $500, while a credit check fee is typically less than $30, according to Bankrate. 5.
    Ana Teresa Solá, CNBC, 22 Aug. 2025
  • The value of the photo collection is still under appraisal, the Mint said.
    Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 21 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • About a month after Millette was arrested, she was declared incompetent to stand trial after a psychiatric evaluation and was admitted to Summit Behavioral Healthcare.
    Cameron Knight, The Enquirer, 21 Aug. 2025
  • The rankings were calculated through evaluation of 26 relevant metrics under the main two categories—entertainment and recreation, and nightlife—which were given different weights in the total score.
    Jasmine Laws, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Estimate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/estimate. Accessed 3 Sep. 2025.

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