estimate 1 of 2

Definition of estimatenext

estimate

2 of 2

noun

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

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
Once completed, county officials estimate the solar projects will increase the county's renewable energy usage to approximately 32% of total electricity consumption for all its buildings. Todd Feurer, CBS News, 7 Apr. 2026 The number being pink-slipped is estimated to be in the end a few hundred from a global staff which numbers north of 12,000. Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 7 Apr. 2026
Noun
Goldman’s economists were careful to note that the true aggregate impact of AI is likely smaller than their estimates suggest. Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 6 Apr. 2026 There are about 1 million members in America, according to an estimate from 2020. Derek Arnold, The Conversation, 6 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for estimate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for estimate
Verb
  • Diastasis recti can be diagnosed by a pelvic floor therapist, ob-gyn, or primary cary doctor, who can assess both the separation and how well your core is functioning.
    Ronnie Koenig, SELF, 9 Apr. 2026
  • For these three types of extensions, Marjan recommends consulting a professional who can assess the best placement based on your hair’s needs, texture, and integrity.
    Hunter Lacey, Allure, 9 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • More than 2,000 places set monthly records for heat — harder to break than daily records — Walton calculated.
    Seth Borenstein, Fortune, 9 Apr. 2026
  • The slide goes on to calculate that 1,000 hours worth of payments for an aide working more than 700 hours a year totals about $15,690 each.
    Alice Yin, Chicago Tribune, 9 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • The closest thing to an official estimation comes from the CDC’s tracking of the home addresses of new mothers.
    Agustina Vergara Cid, Oc Register, 3 Apr. 2026
  • To play for Hurley is to understand that taking a play off is not acceptable, that bending over and tugging at your short hems – a sure sign, in Hurley’s estimation, of weakness – will earn you either a death stare or a run up the steps.
    Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 30 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • That is also reflected in the latest analysis of the bill by senate staff, which includes possible new wording focusing only on the assessment and not on establishing a new policy to bring back grizzlies.
    Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 7 Apr. 2026
  • Park Sunwon, another lawmaker who attended the briefing, made similar comments on the agency’s assessment of the girl’s recent military appearances.
    Hyung-Jin Kim, Los Angeles Times, 6 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Stephanie Christian said choosing to cut this program signaled to the state’s education workforce that teachers are not valued.
    Elizabeth Hernandez, Denver Post, 6 Apr. 2026
  • The deal would value OpenAI at eighty-six billion dollars and allow many employees to cash out millions in equity.
    Ronan Farrow, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • When the book hit the shelves, Gardner figured Frames of Mind would be read by members of the general public interested in psychology.
    Big Think, Big Think, 6 Apr. 2026
  • Your bank isn’t the only place to keep your money, and a lot of people are starting to figure that out.
    Andreina Rodriguez, CNBC, 6 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • This collection of poems is a transcendent appraisal of the blood that was extracted from Black bodies.
    Diana Arterian, Literary Hub, 7 Apr. 2026
  • Their appraisal underscored the challenges the Survivors’ Act was encountering in the courtroom.
    Pamela Colloff, ProPublica, 24 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Both the deputy and the uninvolved driver were hospitalized for evaluation, but police did not provide details on their condition.
    Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 6 Apr. 2026
  • Because lenders may obtain your credit report from different agencies and apply a different scoring model, your credit score can differ slightly from one evaluation to another.
    Dan Avery, CNBC, 6 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Estimate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/estimate. Accessed 13 Apr. 2026.

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