Definition of estimatenext

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb estimate differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of estimate are appraise, assess, evaluate, rate, and value. While all these words mean "to judge something with respect to its worth or significance," estimate implies a judgment, considered or casual, that precedes or takes the place of actual measuring or counting or testing out.

estimated the crowd at two hundred

Where would appraise be a reasonable alternative to estimate?

The words appraise and estimate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, appraise commonly implies the fixing by an expert of the monetary worth of a thing, but it may be used of any critical judgment.

having their house appraised

When can assess be used instead of estimate?

While the synonyms assess and estimate are close in meaning, assess implies a critical appraisal for the purpose of understanding or interpreting, or as a guide in taking action.

officials are trying to assess the damage

When might evaluate be a better fit than estimate?

While in some cases nearly identical to estimate, evaluate suggests an attempt to determine relative or intrinsic worth in terms other than monetary.

evaluate a student's work

How are the words rate and estimate related?

Rate adds to estimate the notion of placing a thing according to a scale of values.

a highly rated restaurant

How do value and appraise relate to one another, in the sense of estimate?

Value equals appraise but without implying expertness of judgment.

a watercolor valued by the donor at $500

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 estimate
Verb
Post hoc analyses of human trials suggest GLP-1s slow molecular clocks that estimate biological age, which hints that the drugs might do more than just promote weight loss. — Lori Youmshajekian, Scientific American, 12 Nov. 2026 Using a mortality model, Boston University epidemiologist Brooke Nichols has estimated that the 2025 dismantling of USAID contributed to more than 700,000 excess deaths over roughly a year. — Andrew Natsios, Foreign Affairs, 12 Nov. 2026
Noun
The figures were estimates rather than counts of recovered animals. — Daniel Hunt, Sacbee.com, 11 Nov. 2026 Current estimates from the Street Vendors Association of Chicago place that number above 3,000, according to Martin Unzueta, director of Chicago Community and Workers’ Rights, an organization that works closely with the group. — Zareen Syed, Chicago Tribune, 11 Nov. 2026 See All Example Sentences for estimate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for estimate
Verb
  • Digital twins of wind turbines can combine operational data with engineering models to assess performance under changing wind conditions and identify maintenance requirements.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 8 Nov. 2026
  • Following the quakes, Miyamoto and his team of roughly 100 engineers have worked under Venezuela’s Ministry of Public Works to assess the structural integrity of surviving buildings.
    — Avery Schmitz, CNN Money, 8 Nov. 2026
Verb
  • Having entered the Anesthesiologist Assistant program in May, the twins are now securing airways through intubation, calculating delicate medication dosages, and tailoring anesthesia to patients with chronic conditions.
    — Cindy Krischer Goodman, Sun Sentinel, 11 Nov. 2026
  • One doctor calculated that the OR has been down nine times over the past year — compared with once the year before.
    — Eric Umansky, ProPublica, 11 Nov. 2026
Noun
  • But in her estimation, Austen didn’t spend much time actively showing Wickham’s charm or ease of conversation.
    — Hillary Busis, Vanity Fair, 5 Nov. 2026
  • Tests included object recognition, distance estimation, and motion tracking across environments ranging from nighttime urban streets to crowded indoor spaces.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 30 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • In a September letter, his physician recommended an independent environmental assessment of his classroom, citing concerns about possible mold exposure.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 13 Nov. 2026
  • But the doctors said his position was still a factor in their assessment.
    — Brian Maass, CBS News, 13 Nov. 2026
Verb
  • For comparison, Vodafone’s takeover of Mannesmann in 2000 was valued at $183 billion.
    — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 13 Nov. 2026
  • Neither Namibia nor Origin De Beer Group has announced a price, but gem experts say it could be valued at between $5 million and $25 million.
    — Luisa Yanez, Miami Herald, 12 Nov. 2026
Verb
  • While Downs is a fine player who figures to bolster an injury-riddled and increasingly dubious receiver room, the trade was no blockbuster.
    — Vahe Gregorian, Kansas City Star, 11 Nov. 2026
  • With Sieler sidelined, the Dolphins figure to lean on Jordan Phillips, Kenneth Grant and Zeek Biggers at defensive tackle, with Cooper providing depth behind them.
    — David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 11 Nov. 2026
Noun
  • The first step is to ask the lender to reconsider the value if the appraisal overlooked a recent sale or got the details wrong.
    — Gary Singer, Sun Sentinel, 29 Oct. 2026
  • The property in the ad receives both the general homestead exemption and the exemption for veterans who are 100% disabled, according to the appraisal district website.
    — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • He has not been vetted by a bipartisan federal judicial evaluation committee that is traditionally used in Texas, Cornyn said.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 12 Nov. 2026
  • The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology notes that some children naturally outgrow food allergies but recommends evaluation by an allergist to confirm when an allergy has resolved.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 11 Nov. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Estimate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/estimate. Accessed 14 Nov. 2026.

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