arithmetic

noun

ə-ˈrith-mə-ˌtik How to pronounce arithmetic (audio)
Definition of arithmeticnext
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

Relevance

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 arithmetic That arithmetic has become increasingly difficult for Japan to fight. — Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 1 July 2026 Coalition arithmetic remains the central challenge, not just for Eisenkot but for the entire anti-Netanyahu bloc. — Tal Shalev, CNN Money, 29 June 2026 The arithmetic was straightforward. — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 17 June 2026 The original campaign worked that seam with radiation and arithmetic. — Ethan Stone, AZCentral.com, 17 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for arithmetic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for arithmetic
  1. math
  2. calculation
Noun
  • Musicians, artists, theater and digital media majors will learn alongside math, computer science and electrical engineering students.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Rough math puts the figure around $66 million per year, about the same as the annual budget for the city of Eagle.
    — Mark Dee August 2, Idaho Statesman, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of math
Noun
  • Amazon Web Services completed several studies, doing calculations based on how many employees and trucks would run through the site.
    — Maya Wilkins, Chicago Tribune, 6 Aug. 2026
  • Even with his professional expertise and years of conversations with his grandmother about her wishes, Ashton, the executor of her estate, said deciding what to do with the house isn't simply a financial calculation.
    — Sharon Epperson,Stephanie Dhue, CNBC, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of calculation

Browse Nearby Words

aristocrats
arithmetic
arithmetic mean
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Arithmetic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/arithmetic. Accessed 10 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on arithmetic

Nglish: Translation of arithmetic for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about arithmetic

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!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Aug. 7

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
fridge-magnet-letters
Drop a Letter Quiz August 2026 Drop a letter from a word to make a totally diffe...
See All