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

Lynch and Garcia estimate that about 1% of that audience — or approximately 10,000 subscribers — would allow the company to sustain its current operation. — Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 17 Sep. 2026 But building anything substantial on would still require shipping tons of materials from Earth, Qiu estimates. — Kiona N. Smith, Space.com, 17 Sep. 2026

Noun

Our current architecture estimates suggest that separating deterministic execution from runtime intelligence could reduce expected token consumption by around 90% compared with initial approaches. — Nitin Gupta, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2026 Those estimates include the run-up to the Games over the next two years. — James Rainey, Los Angeles Times, 15 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for estimate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for estimate

Verb

After the undisputed killers plead insanity, doctors for the left-wing prosecutor and the defense often back their claims, judges approve the pleas, and the acquittees submit to annual reviews assessing whether the state should release them.

— Hudson Crozier, The Washington Examiner, 21 Sep. 2026
One of the main limitations is that exposure was assessed using a single urine sample.

— Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 21 Sep. 2026

Definition of assess

Noun

This one was shaped by Week 1 results, which seemed to verify that the rebuilding Dolphins are bad, while greatly elevating estimation of the Niners.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 17 Sep. 2026
Their estimation of what else the trader might have on in connection to the trade, however, was varied.

— Oliver Renick, CNBC, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of estimation

Noun

Improved logistics for Saudi crude exports have reduced the market's assessment of how much supply is at risk, Massabni said, adding that oil prices reflect not just available barrels but also the probability of those supplies being disrupted.

— Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 18 Sep. 2026
And while getting Vicki back on the show hasn’t made for particularly fun television, her Debbie Downer season (apologies to Victoria, but Emily’s assessment is sticking) is at least authentic.

— Tom Smyth, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of assessment

Verb

On average, a Costco shopper makes 31 trips annually, spending $99 per visit for a total annual outlay of $3,043 – figures that comfortably eclipse competitors like Sam’s Club and BJ’s, Numerator said.

— Jessica Guynn, USA Today, 16 Sep. 2026
Their wide receiver group Sunday figures to include Bateman, Walker, return specialist LaJohntay Wester, Moore and Sarratt.

— Jeff Zrebiec, New York Times, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of figure

Noun

After submitting your application, the process includes underwriting, a home appraisal and an inspection before final approval.

— Sharon Wu, USA Today, 17 Sep. 2026
That means the first number two million owners see may be closer to a guess than an appraisal, generated for businesses that never asked to be valued in public.

— Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of appraisal

Noun

Roster tweaks could be on the horizon, but will come after a period of evaluation by new coach Mike Babcock and his staff.

— Allan Mitchell, New York Times, 16 Sep. 2026
Raji said an authority independent of the company should determine who is qualified to conduct the evaluation, what the evaluator can examine, and where its findings must be reported.

— Barbara Booth, CNBC, 16 Sep. 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 24 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of estimate

verb

noun

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