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

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
The risks inherent in the LBO structure are exacerbated by the amount of debt PSKY must incur, its current financial position and future prospects, as well as the lengthy period to close the transaction – which PSKY itself estimates to be 12-18 months following signing. Todd Spangler, Variety, 7 Jan. 2026 Before World War II, Hungary had one of Europe’s largest Jewish populations, estimated at about 825,000 people. Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 7 Jan. 2026
Noun
Oklahoma received $23 million more than expected, as CMS advised states use a $200 million annual estimate when drafting their applications. Jillian Taylor, StateImpact, 6 Jan. 2026 Walz and other state officials have disputed that estimate. Alex Derosier, Twin Cities, 6 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for estimate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for estimate
Verb
  • In 2015, the FBI opened an investigation into the group to assess potential criminal activity.
    Asra Q. Nomani , Nikolas Lanum , Michael Dorgan, FOXNews.com, 9 Jan. 2026
  • Officers were seen entering multiple mobile homes to assess the situation.
    Nina Burns, CBS News, 9 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • The Department of Finance, which calculates its projections differently, is expected to estimate a smaller deficit than the LAO.
    Lia Russell, Sacbee.com, 8 Jan. 2026
  • The spokesperson said information about how utilities are calculated is provided to residents.
    Nora O'Neill, Charlotte Observer, 8 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • The robot’s parkour and backflip videos, milestones reached through iterative control research over the years, are not just theatrical stunts but experiments in dynamic balance, state estimation, and whole-body coordination.
    Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 7 Nov. 2025
  • The rise of fintech has driven up savings and payments volumes in Africa, but only 2% of about 700 million African bank accounts are applied towards investments, by Aig-Imoukhuede’s estimation.
    Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 4 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • Experts agree with this assessment.
    Brett Berk, Robb Report, 7 Nov. 2025
  • Korf and Laber dispute that assessment.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 7 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Diana Butler Bass, a historian and author of the popular Substack newsletter The Cottage, said Yancey embodied an evangelical Christianity that valued grace and respect for different opinions.
    John Blake, CNN Money, 8 Jan. 2026
  • The round is expected to be led by GIC and Coatue Management, following a $13 billion raise in September that valued the company at $183 billion.
    Sharon Goldman, Fortune, 8 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • But after finishing first in the Smythe Division for six straight seasons from 1981-82 until 1986-87, the Oilers apparently figured that was enough.
    Sean McIndoe, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
  • And that alone would figure to be a deal killer from a Hawks perspective.
    Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 7 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Their job is to apply state law to their appraisals of real and business properties.
    Mercury News Editorial Board, Mercury News, 20 Dec. 2025
  • This tells the seller that even if appraisal comes in low, the deal won’t fall apart over a reasonable gap.
    Allison Palmer, Miami Herald, 19 Dec. 2025
Noun
  • And there’s never been a more important time for that evaluation than the offseason Mahomes will spend rehabbing from a season-ending knee surgery.
    Sam McDowell January 9, Kansas City Star, 9 Jan. 2026
  • Of course, vaccine evaluation and monitoring should be constant, particularly for those administered to children, to ensure safety and efficacy.
    Jerome Adams, Fortune, 8 Jan. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Estimate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/estimate. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.

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