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

Legal costs are still to be decided in the case, and they have been estimated in as high as $67 million. — Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 23 July 2026 The researchers began with the start of the Holocene, 12,000 years ago, when, experts estimate, the global population was between about four million and seven million. — Cody Cottier, Scientific American, 23 July 2026

Noun

The segment delivered negative EBITDA of $252 million, much more red ink than in the year-ago period and more than estimates. — Zev Fima, CNBC, 22 July 2026 Cameras and laser-ranging sensors on the servicer offer clues, and data from those readings can provide an estimate of how the satellite is moving before the servicer edges close enough to touch. — Wanjiku Chebet Kanjumba, The Conversation, 22 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for estimate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for estimate

Verb

Young striker Jayden Danns needs to be assessed after feeling discomfort in his hamstring last week, while Kaide Gordon and Owen Beck are still undergoing rehab following injuries.

— James Pearce, New York Times, 20 July 2026
The mall had been a powerful economic driver for the town’s tax base for decades after opening in 1971, and was the third-biggest taxpayer in 2000 when it was assessed at about $35 million.

— Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 19 July 2026

Definition of assess

Verb

For example, a dividend must be calculated, withheld correctly and paid to the shareholder.

— Mike Cahill, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026
The Education Department hasn’t yet calculated the final data against which institutions will be judged, leaving uncertainty on exactly what programs will face consequences.

— Francesca Pinney, Los Angeles Times, 22 July 2026

Definition of calculate

Noun

In Kirke’s estimation, apparel shouldn’t be caught up in the maelstrom brewing between Washington and Ottowa over exports like steel, automotives, dairy or alcohol.

— Kate Nishimura, Footwear News, 21 July 2026
No commissioner is ever all that popular, but Manfred has enjoyed a bit of a glow-up in fan estimation recently.

— Hannah Keyser, CNN Money, 17 July 2026

Definition of estimation

Noun

However, the assessment of assets has come into question since then.

— Stephanie Yang, CNN Money, 24 July 2026
The county tax program referenced in the settlement is also expected to lead to inroads in the county’s ongoing legal battle with the Missouri State Tax Commission, which previously directed the county to roll back its 2023 assessments.

— Ilana Arougheti July 23, Kansas City Star, 23 July 2026

Definition of assessment

Verb

New attractions include the Hip Hop ride, a traveling grand carousel with horses valued over $30,000 each and the first-ever First Peoples’ Art Showcase.

— Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 18 July 2026
Forbes Valuation Forbes values Black’s net worth at $13 billion as of Friday afternoon.

— Alison Durkee, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026

Definition of value

Verb

No torque figure was released, but that number also figures to be higher (the off-road Raging Bull makes 413 ft lbs of twist).

— Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 23 July 2026
Backup catcher Drew Millas was the first Nationals catcher in the majors to look to the dugout for suggestions, as the team figured its outspoken backstop would communicate what was (or wasn’t) working and have more time to focus on his offense.

— Spencer Nusbaum, New York Times, 22 July 2026

Definition of figure

Noun

His plan includes limiting local government spending, two-thirds voter approval for property tax increases, a process for voters to roll back local property rates, and home appraisal reforms.

— Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 July 2026
The legislation also incorporates Warnock's Appraisal Modernization Act, which supporters say is intended to improve fairness in the home appraisal process.

— Zachary Bynum, CBS News, 12 July 2026

Definition of appraisal

Noun

When court resumed later in the afternoon, the judge ordered Lux to undergo a mental health evaluation at Bridgewater State Hospital.

— Jasmine Baehr, FOXNews.com, 22 July 2026
The driver of the semi-truck was trapped inside the cab and was extricated by crews before being transported to the hospital for evaluation.

— Camryn Dadey, Sacbee.com, 22 July 2026

Definition of evaluation

Browse Nearby Words

estimable

estimate

estimated

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Estimate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/estimate. Accessed 25 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of estimate

verb

noun

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on estimate

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

vituperate

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

The Words of the Week - Jul 24

Why do we say 'fly off the handle'?

Popular

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes