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
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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
Extending tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans while cutting programs working families depend on is arithmetic that does not work.
—Baltimore Sun Staff, Baltimore Sun, 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
Extrapolate those trend lines, and the arithmetic becomes alarming.
—Big Think, 4 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for arithmetic
Konstantin Kakaes, Quanta Magazine, 20 May 2026
Extending tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans while cutting programs working families depend on is arithmetic that does not work.
—Baltimore Sun Staff, Baltimore Sun, 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
Extrapolate those trend lines, and the arithmetic becomes alarming.
—Big Think, 4 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for arithmetic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for arithmetic
Noun
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Before his presidency, solving Social Security’s financial troubles — and indeed, those of the broader federal budget — seemed like a simple political math equation.—
Ben Ritz,
Forbes.com,
11 June 2026
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Per data from the 2024-25 school year, only slightly more than 30% of high school juniors across the state were meeting or exceeding the standard for math.—
Tarini Mehta,
Sacbee.com,
11 June 2026
Noun
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Lively’s lawyers must still submit billing records and fee calculations for court approval.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
12 June 2026
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The calculations revealed the quark generalized parton distribution (GPD) of the pion.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
12 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Arithmetic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/arithmetic. Accessed 16 Jun. 2026.
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