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
Relevance
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
1
as in shrewd
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
2
as in cunning
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
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
Natasha Gural, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
His dark, calculating gaze takes ahold of me with all the intensity of a bolt of lightning striking me down from above.
—Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 8 Sep. 2025
Meanwhile, the sardonic and calculating Dennis (Sweeney), who, based on a pre-accident romantic encounter with Rocky, seems to have a twink fetish, ingratiates himself into Roman’s life with a master plan.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 4 Sep. 2025
Harris portrays a free-spirited yet quick-calculating middleman with playful wit.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 4 Sep. 2025
Law portrays a younger Putin, depicted as ruthlessly calculating and enigmatic, while Alicia Vikander plays Ksenia, Baranov’s lover and moral counterweight.
—Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 31 Aug. 2025
The data also is crucial for the Finance Department’s economic and revenue forecasting, as well as for its work on the state budget, which includes calculating the minimum wage and cost of living.
—Calmatters, Oc Register, 29 Aug. 2025
Be calculating about what those experiences are, and plan accordingly.
—Lara Kramer, AFAR Media, 29 Aug. 2025
In the journal, Westman describes looking at door handles, calculating how to best lock victims inside, and noting where teachers were located.
—Allison Gordon, CNN Money, 28 Aug. 2025
Verb
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
Adjective
Unlike navigating on a flat map using Euclidean geometry, aeronautical navigation requires solving complex problems by calculating position and plotting courses on a model of the Earth as an ellipsoid, or a sphere.
—Natasha Gural, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
His dark, calculating gaze takes ahold of me with all the intensity of a bolt of lightning striking me down from above.
—Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 8 Sep. 2025
Meanwhile, the sardonic and calculating Dennis (Sweeney), who, based on a pre-accident romantic encounter with Rocky, seems to have a twink fetish, ingratiates himself into Roman’s life with a master plan.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 4 Sep. 2025
Harris portrays a free-spirited yet quick-calculating middleman with playful wit.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 4 Sep. 2025
Law portrays a younger Putin, depicted as ruthlessly calculating and enigmatic, while Alicia Vikander plays Ksenia, Baranov’s lover and moral counterweight.
—Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 31 Aug. 2025
The data also is crucial for the Finance Department’s economic and revenue forecasting, as well as for its work on the state budget, which includes calculating the minimum wage and cost of living.
—Calmatters, Oc Register, 29 Aug. 2025
Be calculating about what those experiences are, and plan accordingly.
—Lara Kramer, AFAR Media, 29 Aug. 2025
In the journal, Westman describes looking at door handles, calculating how to best lock victims inside, and noting where teachers were located.
—Allison Gordon, CNN Money, 28 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for calculating
Verb
-
Some companies are figuring it out and seeing real value.—
Jeremy Kahn,
Fortune,
9 Sep. 2025
-
This is the era of all-nighters, early classes, cafeteria skin, and figuring it all out.—
Larry Stansbury,
Essence,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The Series 11 should last longer, with Apple estimating 24 hours of use on a charge.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
11 Sep. 2025
-
Airlines faced massive deficits after 9/11, with the Air Transport Association estimating losses of $10 billion in the immediate aftermath.—
Michael Goldstein,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Her lawyers are now planning to file a damages lawsuit against the South Korean government, JTBC reported.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
11 Sep. 2025
-
China is planning a robotic mission in 2028 with the goal of being the first country to bring a sample back from the surface of Mars.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Conspiracy charges mean that two or more persons agreed to commit a crime, and the defendant joined, knowing the purpose of the scheme and intending to help accomplish that purpose.—
Kelly Phillips Erb,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
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Though not intending to study music, Presnell joined Mesa’s choir, which led him to changing his academic focus and majoring in music at San Diego State University.—
Elizabeth Marie Himchak,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Frequent nicks, ingrown hairs, dry patches, and razor burn can result when relying on shaving as your primary hair removal method — but with the proper tools and techniques, these unpleasant side effects can be avoided.—
Maggie Horton,
PEOPLE,
11 Sep. 2025
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Rather than relying solely on glossy imagery or abstract measurements, its website takes a consumer-first approach.—
Kate Hardcastle,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The deadline day signing of Kolo Muani was a shrewd move to give him another option.—
James McNicholas,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
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Craig has played shrewd detective Blanc in 2019’s Knives Out and 2022’s Glass Onion.—
Jack Smart,
PEOPLE,
7 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Bening will costar on the series as Beulah Jackson, who's described as the powerful, cunning, and charming head of a major ranch in Texas.—
Randall Colburn,
Entertainment Weekly,
7 Sep. 2025
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Joan Silber is a contemporary genius at creating artful stories of a multitude of characters who ricochet in cunning ways, crossing generations and continents.—
Jane Ciabattari
September 2,
Literary Hub,
2 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Nebius, which is based in Amsterdam, will deliver computing resources to Microsoft using a data center in New Jersey, according to a statement.—
Jordan Novet,
CNBC,
8 Sep. 2025
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Unlike ordinary bits, these computing elements are made of quantum objects that can be in two possible states, labeled 0 and 1, at the same time.—
Shalma Wegsman,
Quanta Magazine,
5 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Calculating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/calculating. Accessed 15 Sep. 2025.
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