ESTIMATE Synonyms: 106 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

estimate 1 of 2

verb

ˈe-stə-ˌmāt

Definition of estimate

as in to assess

to make an approximate or tentative judgment regarding experts estimated the value of the painting at a million dollars

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in to calculate

to decide the size, amount, number, or distance of (something) without actual measurement we estimated the snowfall to be about a foot

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

estimate

2 of 2

noun

ˈe-stə-mət

as in estimation

the act of placing a value on the nature, character, or quality of something what we owe our war veterans is beyond estimate

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in assessment

an opinion on the nature, character, or quality of something the estimate of many art specialists that the painting is a fake

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Apollo estimates its overall system could occupy about one-fortieth the space of a conventional design. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 20 Aug. 2026 The graphic below shows each squad’s market value, as estimated by German website Transfermarkt, with Hull cast far adrift. — Conor O'Neill, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026

Noun

The second-quarter growth number was unchanged from the department’s first estimate. — Paul Wiseman, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026 With a low estimate of £20 million ($27 million), the work will be the top lot of the house’s offerings during Frieze Week. — Maximilíano Durón, ARTnews.com, 26 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for estimate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for estimate

Verb

While no group has claimed responsibility, Marisks assessed that Houthi involvement was the leading conclusion.

— Nadeen Ebrahim, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2026
Platforms regularly used by children would be required to assess and report on the risks their networks posed, Luxon said.

— ABC News, ABC News, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of assess

Verb

Robot depth vision The new stereo vision algorithm allows humanoid robots to calculate depth using a camera arrangement that more closely mimics human vision.

— Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 27 Aug. 2026
In a class-action lawsuit brought on behalf of California renters, lawyers alleged that Conservice’s policy was to deny tenants the right to view specific bills or formulas used to calculate their individual charges.

— Audrey McGlinchy, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of calculate

Noun

In Teitelbaum’s estimation, the deal on the table last week would have likely been a difficult sell for Canadian officials.

— Kate Nishimura, Footwear News, 25 Aug. 2026
Despite the efforts, China still faces an annual shortfall of around 6,000 tons of plasma, according to a CNN calculation based on industry data and estimation of domestic demand cited by Chinese state media.

— CNN Staff, CNN Money, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of estimation

Noun

And if bail is necessary to ensure a return to court, the amount must be attainable and based on an assessment of the defendant’s financial circumstances.

— Evelyn Ronan, Sacbee.com, 20 Aug. 2026
Battles over aging parents and their fortunes are becoming increasingly common in wealthy families, with some requiring cognitive assessments for those leading family businesses.

— Hayley Cuccinello, CNBC, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of assessment

Verb

Last year, the domestic microdrama industry was valued at nearly $15 billion, according to market research firm DataEye, almost double the market size for box-office feature films in the country.

— Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2026
But our findings suggest that families, schools and communities can also make a difference simply by creating everyday opportunities for young people to feel recognized, valued and connected.

— Jonathan Wright, The Conversation, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of value

Noun

The same evaluation process may hold promise for other forms of childhood dementia that arise from single-gene mutations.

— Mike McRae August 26, New Atlas, 26 Aug. 2026
While the evaluation itself doesn’t have much fantasy impact, how the Giants respond could.

— Jonathan Rubin, Charlotte Observer, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of evaluation

Browse Nearby Words

estimable

estimate

estimated

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Style

“Estimate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/estimate. Accessed 27 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of estimate

verb

noun

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