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
The Analysts estimate that Tyson Foods has cut its slaughter capacity by 50% since announcing the closure of its Lexington plant last year. Dylan Sherman, Arkansas Online, 13 Aug. 2026 Environmental agencies and oil spill specialists estimated its size as far larger, noting the spread has accelerated dramatically since the beginning of August. Reuters, NBC news, 13 Aug. 2026
Noun
Unwell also has staged nationwide tours, spring break experiences, SXSW activations and other live events (which the company estimates have been attended by more than 150,000 fans in person). Todd Spangler, Variety, 12 Aug. 2026 Data points were based on estimates and retail tracking statistics from Circana. Vicki M. Young, Footwear News, 12 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for estimate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for estimate
Verb
  • Experts have assessed North Korea's troop dispatch has given it crucial battlefield experience as well.
    ABC News, ABC News, 10 Aug. 2026
  • One way of assessing that instability is through squad churn, a metric that measures how much a team’s share of playing minutes changes from one season to the next.
    Conor O'Neill, New York Times, 9 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • How those amounts are calculated also appears widely up to the provider and can be opaque.
    Julie Appleby, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Scientists calculated the Earth’s average temperature in 2025 among one of the three hottest on record, along with 2024 and 2023.
    Letters to the Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 12 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • The wartime mood among European and American intellectuals was hopeless, or, rather, in her estimation, helpless.
    David Denby, New Yorker, 10 Aug. 2026
  • As a left-hand-hitting middle infielder, Bruin is a different player than his dad — and by Benny’s estimation, a better one.
    Tim Britton, New York Times, 2 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Today, most 16- and 17-year-olds who commit crimes are generally handled in juvenile court because policymakers recognize that adolescents differ from adults in judgment, impulse control, risk assessment, and susceptibility to peer influence.
    Keith Wortz, Hartford Courant, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Auditors generally verified repayments by reinterviewing workers who had participated in earlier assessments.
    Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 13 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • According to the market-research firm Data Bridge, the longevity- and wellness-biotech industry was valued at almost $5 billion in 2024.
    Tori Latham, Robb Report, 8 Aug. 2026
  • Founded by a former lawyer turned bookseller and Pasadena native Dan Whitmore, the store is doing brisk business among a younger clientele that still values the tactile pleasures to be found from beautiful books.
    Marc Weingarten, Los Angeles Times, 8 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • StemRad engineers, though, figured dressing as a medieval knight doesn’t really get you all that much.
    Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 13 Aug. 2026
  • If the Wildcats, who are looking to bounce back from two consecutive losing seasons, are good, Schueneman figures to be a catalyst.
    Matt Le Cren, Chicago Tribune, 12 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • True Footage says its TrueTracts appraisal engine can land a valuation within 3% of a home’s eventual sale price — a claim drawn from KBB’s own early test markets and not yet independently verified.
    Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 8 Aug. 2026
  • At that time, an appraisal for SFG estimated its value at just over $920 million, the complaint shows.
    Kirk Ogunrinde, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • In a statement, the city of Littleton said, after research and an evaluation with consultants, in some cases, shortening school zones increases driver awareness and improves overall safety for drivers and students.
    Ashley Portillo, CBS News, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Independent evaluation or validation may strengthen confidence in the process where appropriate, especially for higher-stakes submissions.
    David Talby, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

More from Merriam-Webster on estimate

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!