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
Creating community El Fenix At its height, Little Mexico's population is estimated to have ranged from 7,000 to 10,000 people. — Alexis Guerrero, CBS News, 8 Oct. 2026 Property owners would be responsible paying to connect to lines, but the study did not estimate those costs. — Brian Bell, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Oct. 2026
Noun
The brokers’ ballpark estimates for Young Howard ran into thousands of dollars a year. — Howard Wolinsky, STAT, 7 Oct. 2026 Whereas Luria's fiscal 2027 earnings-per-share estimate stands at $161, the LSEG consensus is already at nearly $174. — Zev Fima, CNBC, 7 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for estimate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for estimate
Verb
  • Residents in central Gaza returned home to assess the damage caused by Israeli strikes after they had been warned to evacuate the day before.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 12 Oct. 2026
  • For Lev, assessing what participants take home means asking about their behavior.
    — Tatiana Sataua, Fortune, 11 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • The group compared water bills in 2025 to 2015, calculating the annual amount for a typical household using 60,000 gallons of water indoors, or about 50 gallons per person per day.
    — Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Integral members of American society, whose absence contributes to financial and psychological damage to other Americans—typically children—in ways yet to be calculated.
    — Daniel Peña, Literary Hub, 7 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • By all estimations, the incoming results are expected to be strong.
    — Sean Conlon,Hugh Leask,Lee Ying Shan,Sarah Min, CNBC, 11 Oct. 2026
  • Those numbers are from 2010 however, meaning the estimation for 2026 could be higher.
    — Jeff Wagner, CBS News, 7 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • State agencies, including the Illinois Emergency Management Agency and Office of Homeland Security, have helped local officials with damage assessments and power restoration, among other tasks.
    — Jeremy Gorner, Chicago Tribune, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Across these policy questions and performance assessments, Democrats and Republicans express clear and consistent support for their party’s positions and candidates.
    — Julio Borquez, The Conversation, 8 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • The merger, unveiled in February and valued at $110 billion, called for Paramount to acquire all of WBD’s outstanding shares at $31.
    — Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Rebel Audio is targeting a $10 million close, which would value the podcasting company at about $50 million post-money.
    — Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 8 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • The screening’s reception was so strong that nearly every major player entered the fray, driving the bidding to figures the indie distributor simply couldn’t turn down.
    — Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 7 Oct. 2026
  • French productions and talent still often figure highly in the awards season winning prizes outside of the international feature category.
    — Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 6 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Next, Wealthfront will underwrite the loan and likely complete an appraisal and title search.
    — Kelsey Neubauer, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2026
  • An appraisal obtained by the city found the land comparable to the Willowgrove development site in value, water availability and soil quality.
    — Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 8 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • No payment is requested or exchanged at any point during the selection, evaluation or ranking process; inclusion is based solely on the methodology.
    — Kelli Grant, CFP®,Riley de León, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Topstep, a futures prop-trading firm, disclosed in March that roughly 17% of evaluations started in 2025 were successfully completed.
    — Camila Grigera Naón, Fortune, 7 Oct. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Estimate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/estimate. Accessed 15 Oct. 2026.

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