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
It’s estimated the state’s current bear population is around 20,000, according to World Population Review. — Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 22 Oct. 2026 Muse could bring in $27 billion of revenue for Meta over the next several years through subscription and transaction revenue, Citi estimates. — Tobias Burns, CNBC, 22 Oct. 2026
Noun
Researchers emphasized that these findings are estimates from a computer simulation, not actual infections. — ABC News, 21 Oct. 2026 The warming California has already seen has no precedent in the past century or in estimates reaching back a thousand years, the report says. — Sean MacAday, Sacbee.com, 21 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for estimate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for estimate
Verb
  • Officials reviewed the play for a possible hostile act by Howard, but assessed no foul on the Atlanta guard.
    — Dan Zaksheske OutKick, FOXNews.com, 18 Oct. 2026
  • Our teams are working to assess the damage and enable operations to resume under the best possible conditions.
    — Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 18 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Scores from the law firm are calculated by analyzing the number of cyclist victims, change in victim rate and bicycle-friendly community recognition.
    — Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Official satellite data showed the rainforest lost 1,300 square miles from August 2025 through July, the period used to calculate the annual rate.
    — Gabriela Sá Pessoa, Los Angeles Times, 21 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • One practical example is Zapata Quantum’s collaboration with NVIDIA, which applies agentic AI to automate quantum resource estimation, initially targeting quantum-chemistry applications.
    — Rajjie Sarmey, Forbes.com, 16 Oct. 2026
  • The researchers tested the system in a laboratory using motion-capture equipment to improve state estimation.
    — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 14 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Built over 22 years The green light follows a crucial safety assessment issued on 4 August 2026 by Finland’s Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority (STUK).
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Their initial assessment was that the bank account was affiliated with the government there.
    — Matthew Cole, Vanity Fair, 22 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Engineering better working dogs Warhound plans to start with two breeds already valued for military and police work.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Romo carved out new terrain at CBS Sports after revealing a knack for predicting game play — all but forcing CBS to re-sign the former Dallas Cowboys quarterback to a multi-season pact in 2020 valued at around $17 million a year.
    — Brian Steinberg, Variety, 22 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Invisible hands built Wikipedia, but those of the free market hardly figured.
    — Julian Lucas, New Yorker, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Murphy figured the Irish needed to win or tie just about every inning.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 20 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • In an era of parasocial pop stardom, the radical honesty of Cyrus’ approach — her clear-eyed appraisal of the relationship that binds an idol and her audience — was kind of a thrill to behold.
    — Mikael Wood, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Next, Wealthfront will underwrite the loan and likely complete an appraisal and title search.
    — Kelsey Neubauer, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • At checkout, he was promised a health evaluation, but the product arrived a week later without ever having to speak to a health professional.
    — Adam Yamaguchi, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026
  • An ambulance was waiting upon arrival, and he was taken to the University of Utah Hospital for further evaluation.
    — Ryan Canfield OutKick, FOXNews.com, 21 Oct. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Estimate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/estimate. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

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