Synonyms of estimate

estimate

verb

ˈe-stə-ˌmāt 

1

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

• assess
• value
• rate
• evaluate
• appraise
• guesstimate
• analyze
• set
• valuate
• determine
• ascertain
• learn
• deem
• discover
• price
• judge
• adjudge
• survey
• test
• decide
• prize
• underestimate
• reassess
• reevaluate
• assay
• reappraise
• revalue
• misjudge
• undervalue
• rejudge
• settle
• transvaluate
• transvalue
• misprize
• misesteem

2

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

• calculate
• figure
• guess
• gauge
• suppose
• make
• judge
• put
• reckon
• call
• understand
• place
• conclude
• conjecture
• infer
• extrapolate
• deduce
• gather
• reason

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• measure
• scale
• compute
• calibrate
• work out

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

Recent Examples of estimate

It is estimated that there are 500,000 detectable earthquakes in the world each year. —Ca Earthquake Bot, Sacbee.com, 9 June 2026

Pestrella estimated the cost of the incident could be between $50 million and $100 million. —Steve Scauzillo, Daily News, 9 June 2026

The legal costs had reached $102,000 by late last week and the Crumbie bill was estimated, so far, to be about $125,000. —Edmund H. Mahony, Hartford Courant, 9 June 2026

Evans estimates the creek still needs to recover for two to three more years. —Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2026