appraise

Definition of appraisenext

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb appraise differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of appraise are assess, estimate, evaluate, rate, and value. While all these words mean "to judge something with respect to its worth or significance," 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 could assess be used to replace appraise?

The words assess and appraise can be used in similar contexts, but 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 can estimate be used instead of appraise?

The meanings of estimate and appraise largely overlap; however, 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

When might evaluate be a better fit than appraise?

Although the words evaluate and appraise have much in common, 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 as synonyms of appraise?

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?

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 appraise Michael Mann’s movies are appraised by many critics and audiences alike as movies for men. Jesse Raub, The Atlantic, 15 Dec. 2025 The Johnsons’ unit was appraised for about $580,000 before they were evacuated. Giulia Carbonaro, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2025 Your car’s make, model, mileage and age are key factors in appraising its value. David McMillin, CNBC, 4 Dec. 2025 The sale proceeds of the buildings, appraised at $12 million, will go toward paying off previous debt for that site and could potentially go toward the rehab or other buildings owned by Cincinnati Metropolitan Authority. Scott Wartman, Cincinnati Enquirer, 22 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for appraise
Recent Examples of Synonyms for appraise
Verb
  • In 2015, the FBI opened an investigation into the group to assess potential criminal activity.
    Asra Q. Nomani , Nikolas Lanum , Michael Dorgan, FOXNews.com, 9 Jan. 2026
  • Officers were seen entering multiple mobile homes to assess the situation.
    Nina Burns, CBS News, 9 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Barring drastic cuts to spending or bringing in additional revenue, the nonpartisan Legislative Analyst’s Office estimates the deficit could be as high as $18 billion this year and $35 billion in future years.
    Nicole Nixon, Sacbee.com, 8 Jan. 2026
  • Idaho’s Office of Performance Evaluations, an independent oversight agency, estimated in a report released last year that the gap between what school districts spend to educate students with disabilities and what the state provides is more than $80 million.
    Becca Savransky, Idaho Statesman, 8 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Diana Butler Bass, a historian and author of the popular Substack newsletter The Cottage, said Yancey embodied an evangelical Christianity that valued grace and respect for different opinions.
    John Blake, CNN Money, 8 Jan. 2026
  • The round is expected to be led by GIC and Coatue Management, following a $13 billion raise in September that valued the company at $183 billion.
    Sharon Goldman, Fortune, 8 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • But they were shorthanded defensively for the Rams’ final drive, with Horn in the medical tent being evaluated for a concussion.
    Joseph Person, New York Times, 11 Jan. 2026
  • The Los Angeles Fire Department said two patients were evaluated at the scene and both declined treatment and transport.
    Leah Sarnoff, ABC News, 11 Jan. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Appraise.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/appraise. Accessed 15 Jan. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on appraise

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!