1
as in shrewd
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
2
as in cunning
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
1
as in figuring
to determine (a value) by doing the necessary mathematical operations
the family has been calculating what a week at the beach resort would end up costing
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in estimating
to decide the size, amount, number, or distance of (something) without actual measurement
I calculate that this job will take another two days to finish
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in planning
to work out the details of (something) in advance
calculated the best route to take to the coast
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in intending
to have in mind as a purpose or goal
I calculate to run a marathon from start to finish—even if it kills me
Synonyms & Similar Words
5
as in relying
to place reliance or trust
we know we can calculate on you following through, whatever the assignment
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 calculating
Rebekah Frumkin, Washington Post, 6 Sep. 2019
And experts believe that his intuitive style could throw the more calculating Caruana, who has faced time crunches already in this championship, off-balance.
—Joshua Robinson, WSJ, 27 Nov. 2018
Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 18 Feb. 2026
Different churches have found various ways of calculating the traditional 40 days of Lent, but the number itself is important.
—ABC News, 16 Feb. 2026
The key to calculating the amount of energy blasted out is realizing that the mass of a merger’s resulting black hole is not simply the sum of its progenitors.
—Phil Plait, Scientific American, 13 Feb. 2026
While some see Nelly as an empathetic and motherly caretaker, others view her as a manipulative, calculating instigator who shapes the narrative to justify her own actions.
—Megan McCluskey, Time, 13 Feb. 2026
Some brands also cited seasonal sourcing patterns as a challenge in calculating long-term financing commitments.
—Mayu Saini, Sourcing Journal, 10 Feb. 2026
There are countless situations when calculating how many square feet are in a space comes in handy, from renting or buying a home to furnishing a place.
—Morgan Goldberg, Architectural Digest, 10 Feb. 2026
Two of the final few hurdles — calculating and mailing tax bills and distributing that revenue back to government agencies — have been politically thorny.
—A.d. Quig, Chicago Tribune, 9 Feb. 2026
Lauren McKenzie, director of early childhood-to-12th-grade policy at The Commit Partnership, said school districts have the option to administer different assessments that focus on early literacy skills when calculating kindergarten readiness.
—Lina Ruiz, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Feb. 2026
Adjective
Even Alex becomes too entangled in her students’ dealings and ends up suffering at the hands of one of the more calculating boys.
—Rebekah Frumkin, Washington Post, 6 Sep. 2019
And experts believe that his intuitive style could throw the more calculating Caruana, who has faced time crunches already in this championship, off-balance.
—Joshua Robinson, WSJ, 27 Nov. 2018
Verb
Powell, as Becket, is always thinking, deciding, calculating, and the actor lets that all show through.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 18 Feb. 2026
Different churches have found various ways of calculating the traditional 40 days of Lent, but the number itself is important.
—ABC News, 16 Feb. 2026
The key to calculating the amount of energy blasted out is realizing that the mass of a merger’s resulting black hole is not simply the sum of its progenitors.
—Phil Plait, Scientific American, 13 Feb. 2026
While some see Nelly as an empathetic and motherly caretaker, others view her as a manipulative, calculating instigator who shapes the narrative to justify her own actions.
—Megan McCluskey, Time, 13 Feb. 2026
Some brands also cited seasonal sourcing patterns as a challenge in calculating long-term financing commitments.
—Mayu Saini, Sourcing Journal, 10 Feb. 2026
There are countless situations when calculating how many square feet are in a space comes in handy, from renting or buying a home to furnishing a place.
—Morgan Goldberg, Architectural Digest, 10 Feb. 2026
Two of the final few hurdles — calculating and mailing tax bills and distributing that revenue back to government agencies — have been politically thorny.
—A.d. Quig, Chicago Tribune, 9 Feb. 2026
Lauren McKenzie, director of early childhood-to-12th-grade policy at The Commit Partnership, said school districts have the option to administer different assessments that focus on early literacy skills when calculating kindergarten readiness.
—Lina Ruiz, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for calculating
Adjective
-
But those picks came in the shrewd trade of quarterback Russell Wilson to Denver.—
Dave Hyde,
Sun Sentinel,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Those numbers are a result of both Buffett’s shrewd calls on stocks that ended up being undervalued, as well as recent policy changes in Japan, including widespread corporate governance reform and new pro-growth government rules and spending that have benefited technology companies.—
Tristan Bove,
Fortune,
10 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
While people born in the year of the snake are seen as charismatic, intelligent, and artistic, they are also often considered cunning and mysterious.—
Saman Shafiq,
USA Today,
16 Feb. 2026
-
And Halston has a cunning plan.—
Kaycee Sloan,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
In a ruse that, for lack of a more astute reference point here, feels very Don Draper-coded, Rose poses as the dear male soldier who died next to her in battle, figuring why waste the deeds to perfectly decent land, or his name.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Somehow, the guy known for not thinking much about results has a stealthy knack for figuring things out.—
Will Sammon,
New York Times,
12 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
New work and volunteer requirements, designed without caregivers in mind, could create unintended consequences — with the Congressional Budget Office estimating that Medicaid work requirements could increase the number of uninsured adults by nearly 5 million by 2034.—
Emily D. Tisdale,
STAT,
12 Feb. 2026
-
On Metaculus, a group of forecasters has taken to estimating when AIs will have the chops to out-predict an elite team of humans.—
Ross Andersen,
The Atlantic,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Over the next few years, Connecticut Water is planning 26 projects around the state targeting PFAS filtration to meet the new EPA regulations by the 2029 deadline.—
Stephen Underwood,
Hartford Courant,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Be sure to check out our guide to checking the safety of eclipse glasses, along with our top 10 tips for planning your 2026 solar eclipse trip.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Athlete Spotlight Vladyslav Heraskevych, the Ukrainian skeleton pilot, arrived at the Olympics intending to compete with a helmet that sparked lots of conversation.—
The Sports Desk,
NBC news,
12 Feb. 2026
-
Without intending, even as the Vietnam War lingered on and the national mood was grim, halftime became classic Americana, a telling mixture of self-parody and pride.—
Christopher Borrelli,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
By operating without the high overhead of physical branches at every corner, Laplanche argued that fintech firms can achieve profitability without relying on the predatory fees that traditional banks use to support their legacy infrastructure.—
Diane Brady,
Fortune,
17 Feb. 2026
-
In today's uncertain rate environment, these types of income-producing assets still carry appeal for many investors, especially those who want exposure to silver without relying entirely on price appreciation.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
17 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
American Bode Miller was always cagey about the state of his knee ligaments.—
Matthew Futterman,
New York Times,
3 Feb. 2026
-
Joining another lab at her institution might be an option, but that would mean abandoning her main research interests, and other groups have also been cagey about funding.—
Jonathan Wosen,
STAT,
30 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Calculating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/calculating. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
