as in math
the act or process of performing mathematical operations to find a value
I haven't actually done the arithmetic yet, but I suspect we're losing money on the deal
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of arithmetic
The first was finite fields, number systems that operate according to a cyclical form of arithmetic.
—
Konstantin Kakaes,
Quanta Magazine,
20 May 2026
So instead, the agency has done some simple arithmetic: $6 million in operating expenses divided by 40,000 riders equals $150.
—
Kaitlyn Tiffany,
The Atlantic,
13 May 2026
Stories only make sense when something is lost and something is found: the arithmetic of a narrative.
—
Eli Raphael,
PEOPLE,
10 May 2026
At one to three deaths per thousand cases, the arithmetic is clear: Deaths are coming.
—
Jonathan Slater,
Washington Post,
28 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for arithmetic
Konstantin Kakaes,
Quanta Magazine,
20 May 2026
So instead, the agency has done some simple arithmetic: $6 million in operating expenses divided by 40,000 riders equals $150.
—
Kaitlyn Tiffany,
The Atlantic,
13 May 2026
Stories only make sense when something is lost and something is found: the arithmetic of a narrative.
—
Eli Raphael,
PEOPLE,
10 May 2026
At one to three deaths per thousand cases, the arithmetic is clear: Deaths are coming.
—
Jonathan Slater,
Washington Post,
28 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for arithmetic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for arithmetic
Noun
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In a 2025 story, USA TODAY explained the math behind that rule of thumb.
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Files, buffers, cuticle tools and even gel systems can last for months or years with proper care, which means the math tilts in favor of DIY after just a few uses.
Noun
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The researchers found that the measurements matched theoretical calculations, thereby serving as evidence that thorium atoms can bind with each other.
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The transaction would result in a company with reach to 80% of homes, but Biard says the math involved in the cap calculations is widely misunderstood – including by some of the plaintiffs in the lawsuit.
Cite this Entry
“Arithmetic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/arithmetic. Accessed 28 Jun. 2026.
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