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
There are estimated to be 11,000 Palestinians missing, many of them in deep craters or under tall mounds of rubble, drowned in earth without a proper burial. Literary Hub, 16 July 2026 Families will only need to pay for maintenance and utilities, which is estimated to be around $1,000 a month. Julianna Mejia july 16, Kansas City Star, 16 July 2026
Noun
That’s the percentage of infants globally who received at least one dose of the diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis vaccine last year, according to annual WHO and UNICEF estimates. Theresa Gaffney, STAT, 15 July 2026 Its sell-through rate climbed to 91 percent from 87 percent a year earlier, while works sold for an average of 124 percent of their low estimates, up from 112 percent last year. Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 15 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
Verb
  • If all goes to plan, orders are slated to ship to select countries in September 2026, and delivery costs will be calculated once the campaign ends (free for orders from the US, Canada, Japan, Hong Kong, China, and EU).
    Abhimanyu Ghoshal, New Atlas, 14 July 2026
  • Unfortunately, most people are far more likely to run into questions of budgeting and investing than, say, calculating the area of a triangle (some professions aside).
    Becca Stanek, TheWeek, 13 July 2026
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
Noun
  • Women, too, have declining levels of testosterone, but assessment is even more complex than for men, and benefits of testosterone therapy for women are under debate.
    Annalisa Merelli, STAT, 16 July 2026
  • Of the 1,027 eligible women, 678 (66%) agreed to annual assessments of memory, language and reasoning, along with regular checks on physical health and daily functioning.
    Samantha Agate, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 July 2026
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
Verb
  • While the crowd figures to root for McIlroy, Fitzpatrick gives the group a home-nation angle as an Englishman.
    Dan Zaksheske OutKick, FOXNews.com, 14 July 2026
  • Seeing Trout again, this time as an All-Star, figures to be a big moment for all the people in his circle.
    Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 13 July 2026
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
Noun
  • Based on that timeline, Gueye’s re-evaluation won’t happen until mid-October at the earliest.
    Lauren Williams, AJC.com, 16 July 2026
  • Howie Mandel’s evaluation began well, but ended up eliciting boos from the audience.
    Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 15 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Estimate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/estimate. Accessed 22 Jul. 2026.

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