estimate 1 of 2

Definition of estimatenext

estimate

2 of 2

noun

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

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 is estimated that there are 500,000 detectable earthquakes in the world each year. Ca Earthquake Bot, Sacbee.com, 21 Apr. 2026 Also by the Swiss artist is Buste d’homme (New York I), estimated at $2 million–$3 million. Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 21 Apr. 2026
Noun
The school has not said how many girls at the school were victims, although another estimate by one mother is 33. Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 20 Apr. 2026 By some recent estimates, the planet could have had surface water until as recently as 2 billion years ago. Jacopo Prisco, CNN Money, 20 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for estimate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for estimate
Verb
  • The floating unit now allows researchers to assess real-world performance, including how the system behaves in open-ocean conditions and its interactions with the surrounding environment.
    Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 23 Apr. 2026
  • But experts are assessing whether the pinch being felt in wallets is enough to transform transportation habits.
    Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • While averages are mathematically calculated, the rainfall totals run from near zero to up to 20 or more inches a year.
    Steve Scauzillo, Daily News, 24 Apr. 2026
  • His package also included the value of the personal use of aircraft provided to him, with an incremental cost calculated at $365,519, per the company’s filing.
    Todd Spangler, Variety, 23 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • The alarming statement followed Gross’s estimation that the risk of a nuclear war was increasing from 1 percent per year to about 2 percent annually.
    Manon Bischoff, Scientific American, 19 Apr. 2026
  • The fraction of systems used for this estimation grows very slowly compared to the total number available, so most of the systems remain intact.
    Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 19 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • In February, the department’s Institute of Education Sciences, which administers the assessments, was gutted by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency.
    Zach Helfand, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026
  • If granted by the county, the incentive will reduce the assessment rate of the property from 25% to 10% for the first 10 years.
    Jennifer Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 20 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Even so, the decision tracks value in a way others can recognize.
    Nikhil Krishnan, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026
  • Recently, a judge ruled after a decade-long legal battle that a painting by Italian artist Amedeo Modigliani, once valued at around $25 million, must be returned to the descendants of its original owner, who was forced to sell the painting to the Nazis.
    Jackie Hajdenberg, Sun Sentinel, 20 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Adebayo still figures to receive strong consideration for a spot on one of the All-Defensive teams.
    Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 19 Apr. 2026
  • The intrusion of experienced mainstream reporters there figures to be a short-lived.
    Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 19 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Even the most complimentary appraisals of Raphael, which celebrate his multimodal genius—painter, draftsman, architect, poet, surveyor of antiquities—also mention his exquisite social tact and career climbing.
    Zachary Fine, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026
  • Real costs like loan documents, appraisal and credit report fees are excluded from the APR.
    Jeff Lazerson, Oc Register, 16 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • In court, Perkins had been found capable to proceed at least twice before a judge reversed course and threw him back into the evaluation process.
    Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 20 Apr. 2026
  • The court denied restitution despite the prosecution’s requests and ordered Garcia Moran to be of general good behavior and to undergo a mental health evaluation.
    Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 19 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Estimate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/estimate. Accessed 27 Apr. 2026.

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