1
as in shrewd
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2
as in cunning
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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
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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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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
Michael Sheridan, Vanity Fair, 8 Apr. 2026
The hours of evidence shown to jurors Wednesday came as prosecutors used opening statements to paint Horner as calculating, violent and remorseless in the killing of Athena.
—Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 8 Apr. 2026
The first, a, is obtained by dividing the year number by 19 and calculating the remainder.
—Manon Bischoff, Scientific American, 4 Apr. 2026
Comfort was highest when AI supported behind-the-scenes functions such as product or service recommendations, fraud detection, tracking spending, and calculating credit scores.
—Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 1 Apr. 2026
For families earning below that level, stretching into homeownership may mean tighter budgets elsewhere — a trade-off many households make, but one worth calculating carefully before signing on a mortgage.
—System Process, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Mar. 2026
Eric is charming, calculating, and accustomed to always getting his way at all costs.
—Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 25 Mar. 2026
Hoopes’ paper, published last week, noted that the wealth tax backers used a more simple methodology for calculating tax revenue, while the Hoover Institute went more in the weeds.
—Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 25 Mar. 2026
Munn revealed she had been diagnosed in 2023, thanks to her doctor calculating her Breast Cancer Risk Assessment score, which looks at factors like Munn's age, family breast cancer history and having her first child after age 30.
—Erin Jensen, USA Today, 24 Mar. 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
Disciplined, hardy, and calculating, the Chinese leader is the product of a tough apprenticeship.
—Michael Sheridan, Vanity Fair, 8 Apr. 2026
The hours of evidence shown to jurors Wednesday came as prosecutors used opening statements to paint Horner as calculating, violent and remorseless in the killing of Athena.
—Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 8 Apr. 2026
The first, a, is obtained by dividing the year number by 19 and calculating the remainder.
—Manon Bischoff, Scientific American, 4 Apr. 2026
Comfort was highest when AI supported behind-the-scenes functions such as product or service recommendations, fraud detection, tracking spending, and calculating credit scores.
—Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 1 Apr. 2026
For families earning below that level, stretching into homeownership may mean tighter budgets elsewhere — a trade-off many households make, but one worth calculating carefully before signing on a mortgage.
—System Process, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Mar. 2026
Eric is charming, calculating, and accustomed to always getting his way at all costs.
—Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 25 Mar. 2026
Hoopes’ paper, published last week, noted that the wealth tax backers used a more simple methodology for calculating tax revenue, while the Hoover Institute went more in the weeds.
—Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 25 Mar. 2026
Munn revealed she had been diagnosed in 2023, thanks to her doctor calculating her Breast Cancer Risk Assessment score, which looks at factors like Munn's age, family breast cancer history and having her first child after age 30.
—Erin Jensen, USA Today, 24 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for calculating
Adjective
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Which makes streamers going all-in on profits right now look like a cutthroat but ultimately shrewd move.—
Jennifer Silverman,
Rolling Stone,
7 Apr. 2026
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The Arizona coach’s shrewdest move of the season?—
Jon Wilner,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
5 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Past friends and former associates described him to me as an exceptionally cunning con man, a consummate charmer, and a womanizer.—
Nate Freeman,
Vanity Fair,
3 Apr. 2026
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Starring Charlize Theron, Taron Egerton, and Eric Bana, the film was shot on location in the Australian wilderness and features Theron as a grieving woman on a solo adventure who becomes the target of a cunning killer (Egerton) in a twisted game of cat-and-mouse.—
Abid Rahman,
HollywoodReporter,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Yuri and Juliana, fresh off a breakup with Praveena, are still figuring things out.—
Amaris Encinas,
USA Today,
2 Apr. 2026
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Underwood also noted that the Illini were still figuring some things out after Andrej Stojaković (knee) and Tomislav Ivišić (tonsils) missed significant time in the preseason.—
Colleen Kane,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Boerboels are known for having one of the strongest bite forces in the canine world, with tests estimating their bite pressure at roughly 500 to 800 PSI (pounds per square inch).—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
9 Apr. 2026
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Visual effects and postproduction work are seen as most vulnerable to the technology, with one study in early 2024 of nearly 300 leaders across the industry estimating that more than 200,000 positions will be eliminated over the next three years.—
Hilary Lewis,
HollywoodReporter,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
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One of the men accused of planning a mass shooting at a Pontiac, Michigan, high school graduation last June learned his fate in court on Tuesday.—
Alysia Burgio,
CBS News,
7 Apr. 2026
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Lively seems to be planning a dragon attack, as referenced in her lengthy statement released after Baldoni's recent court win.—
Lauryn Overhultz,
FOXNews.com,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Tucker and her then-boyfriend, Daniel Ryan Garrett, broke into Dean’s apartment intending to steal motorcycle parts.—
Stephanie Nolasco,
FOXNews.com,
29 Mar. 2026
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On July 16, 1999, Kennedy sat in the pilot’s seat of his single-engine plane, intending to drop off sister-in-law Lauren in Martha's Vineyard before continuing to Hyannis Port with his wife for cousin Rory Kennedy's wedding.—
Erin Jensen,
USA Today,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The Santa Clara City Council and Santa Clara Stadium Authority approved a financial agreement for the World Cup relying on federal funding and local partners at no burden to the taxpayer.—
Ashley J. DiMella,
FOXNews.com,
7 Apr. 2026
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The most traditional poetic forms are repetitive, with strict rhyme schemes and meter, but newer interpretations are also built around repetition, relying on slant rhymes, refrains, alliteration, and more.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Unseld was cagey about the playing-time restrictions for all three players, declining to share details about any of their medical limits during his pregame news conference.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Feb. 2026
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While department officials initially were cagey about whether pepper spray would be allowed at the new Kilpatrick, the department ultimately determined officers would not carry it.—
Jason Henry,
Daily News,
15 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Calculating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/calculating. Accessed 13 Apr. 2026.
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