Definition of evaluatenext

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb evaluate differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of evaluate are appraise, assess, estimate, rate, and value. While all these words mean "to judge something with respect to its worth or significance," evaluate suggests an attempt to determine relative or intrinsic worth in terms other than monetary.

evaluate a student's work

When could appraise be used to replace evaluate?

The synonyms appraise and evaluate are sometimes interchangeable, but 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

Where would assess be a reasonable alternative to evaluate?

The words assess and evaluate can be used in similar contexts, but 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

In what contexts can estimate take the place of evaluate?

The words estimate and evaluate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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

How are the words rate and estimate related as synonyms of evaluate?

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 evaluate?

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 evaluate The new order required that a psychologist visit Williams at the Palm Beach County jail on Thursday and once again evaluate his competency. Shira Moolten, Sun Sentinel, 22 Jan. 2026 In October, the port released a Request for Proposals to evaluate the feasibility of a new Pier 500 marine container terminal that would increase the port’s capacity while staying on track with climate goals, Seroka said. Los Angeles Times, 22 Jan. 2026 Adding to the complexity, this year brings several tax changes that could influence how the IRS evaluates relief applications. Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 22 Jan. 2026 Should coaches be evaluated differently as a result? Chris Vannini, New York Times, 16 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for evaluate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for evaluate
Verb
  • Madinah has taken a pioneering step by assessing SDG indicators at the neighborhood level through The Atlas of Sustainable Development in Al Madinah Neighborhoods.
    CBS News, CBS News, 23 Jan. 2026
  • The juvenile mountain lion was taken to a local veterinarian to be assessed, Cort Klopping, a spokesperson for the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, said Wednesday afternoon.
    Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 22 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Researchers estimated that about 75% of this higher risk was explained by other LE8 factors, rather than sleep timing alone.
    Dr. Joseph Wendt, ABC News, 28 Jan. 2026
  • There are estimated to be 80,000 of us in the city.
    Katherine Packert Burke, Literary Hub, 28 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Suddenly, by valuing each life at over $10 million, many regulation’s benefits magically dwarfed the costs.
    James Broughel, Forbes.com, 27 Jan. 2026
  • Extreme Cold Warnings are issued when wind chill values dip below twenty below zero.
    Ron Smiley, CBS News, 27 Jan. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Evaluate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/evaluate. Accessed 29 Jan. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on evaluate

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