1
as in shrewd
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Dissimilar Words
2
as in cunning
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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
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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
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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
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5
as in relying
to place reliance or trust
we know we can calculate on you following through, whatever the assignment
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Example Sentences
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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
Drew Pittock, USA Today, 13 May 2026
Spoofing relies on transmitting false signals that mimic authentic satellite signals to trick signal receivers into calculating erroneous positions for aircraft and other users.
—Andrew Cunningham, ArsTechnica, 11 May 2026
After seeking out a nearby fishmonger and calculating what this ingredient would cost me (a precious $30 per pound), I was left with a minor headache.
—Nina Moskowitz, Bon Appetit Magazine, 10 May 2026
When calculating with these numbers, avoiding PMI could save you anywhere from $120 to $280 per month on a $400,000 loan.
—Aly J Yale, CBS News, 6 May 2026
Mandy Patinkin plays Anthony Accardo, a powerful and calculating head of the Chicago Outfit, considered one of the most powerful crime bosses in America at the time.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 1 May 2026
That's the part worth hammering, not that Nike is greedy or calculating.
—Dan Zaksheske Outkick, FOXNews.com, 1 May 2026
Multi-state employers should carefully review state overtime rules to avoid errors when calculating and reporting qualified overtime premium amounts at year-end.
—Fennemore, Oc Register, 30 Apr. 2026
In the tradition of the intuitionist mathematician calculating larger or more precise numbers with time and effort, Gisin allows for more and more information to be created.
—Quanta Magazine, 29 Apr. 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
Clearing cold cases in 2026 Every law enforcement agency across the country reports crime and investigation statistics to the federal government differently, making calculating the number of cold cases solved each year exceedingly difficult.
—Drew Pittock, USA Today, 13 May 2026
Spoofing relies on transmitting false signals that mimic authentic satellite signals to trick signal receivers into calculating erroneous positions for aircraft and other users.
—Andrew Cunningham, ArsTechnica, 11 May 2026
After seeking out a nearby fishmonger and calculating what this ingredient would cost me (a precious $30 per pound), I was left with a minor headache.
—Nina Moskowitz, Bon Appetit Magazine, 10 May 2026
When calculating with these numbers, avoiding PMI could save you anywhere from $120 to $280 per month on a $400,000 loan.
—Aly J Yale, CBS News, 6 May 2026
Mandy Patinkin plays Anthony Accardo, a powerful and calculating head of the Chicago Outfit, considered one of the most powerful crime bosses in America at the time.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 1 May 2026
That's the part worth hammering, not that Nike is greedy or calculating.
—Dan Zaksheske Outkick, FOXNews.com, 1 May 2026
Multi-state employers should carefully review state overtime rules to avoid errors when calculating and reporting qualified overtime premium amounts at year-end.
—Fennemore, Oc Register, 30 Apr. 2026
In the tradition of the intuitionist mathematician calculating larger or more precise numbers with time and effort, Gisin allows for more and more information to be created.
—Quanta Magazine, 29 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for calculating
Adjective
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Greg, a billionaire and a large shareholder of BRK, has proven to be a shrewd operator of BRK’s energy business.—
Vitaliy Katsenelson,
Fortune,
14 May 2026
-
After more than 50 years in the industry, however, Deborah is a shrewd businesswoman.—
Caroline Framke,
The Atlantic,
14 May 2026
Adjective
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Dano’s static line delivery gets used for a chilling but laconic effect as his character’s cunning political negotiations lead to deadly outcomes.—
Randy Myers,
Mercury News,
13 May 2026
-
There’s arguably no one better placed to collaborate with VFX artists on a motion-capture performance than Serkis, who’s delivered innocence, cunning, cruelty, longing, and kindness in roles that run from Golum to Caesar to King Kong himself.—
Sarah Shachat,
IndieWire,
4 May 2026
Verb
-
My journey to figuring things out and healing is now through helping other people.—
Caroline Blair,
PEOPLE,
15 May 2026
-
The data suggests people may be figuring that out.—
Teri Sforza,
Oc Register,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
With federal protections in flux and the EWG estimating more than 200 million Americans could have PFAS in their drinking water above 1 part per trillion, the responsibility has largely shifted to consumers to figure this out themselves.—
Allison Palmer,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
15 May 2026
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Worse still, the heat makes spilled oil more toxic, with some scientists estimating that the Gulf is the most polluted marine basin in the world.—
Meghan Bartels,
Scientific American,
14 May 2026
Verb
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Many four-year colleges have been planning for such a transition for years.—
Jay Caspian Kang,
New Yorker,
19 May 2026
-
Too bad then that the man holding a debt over his head (Jonathan Coyne) is actually planning on offing him in his last match.—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
19 May 2026
Verb
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Many Democrats, spooked by the prospect of their party being frozen out in June’s top-two primary, have been clinging to their ballots, intending to vote at the last moment for whichever Democrat appears likeliest to finish first.—
Gustavo Arellano,
Los Angeles Times,
15 May 2026
-
Prosecutors were intending to keep Wright behind bars until his trial but withdrew their request during the hearing.—
Grethel Aguila,
Miami Herald,
13 May 2026
Verb
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SpaceX is relying on the fully reusable Starship to dramatically lower launch costs for its human spaceflight projects, Starlink internet satellites and plans for orbital data centers.—
Mike Wall,
Space.com,
19 May 2026
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You’re being called to communicate with intention rather than relying on avoidance and humor.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
19 May 2026
Adjective
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Undoubtedly the biggest star on LIV, and among the top handful of players in the world in both talent and fan interest, DeChambeau has been somewhat cagey as to his next move.—
Ian Miller OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
11 May 2026
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Further, the non-call and subsequent call in the final 5 minutes of the free 30 minutes were monumental in a mostly cagey match.—
Braidon Nourse,
Denver Post,
30 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Calculating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/calculating. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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