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 Another officer involved in the incident was also evaluated for an apparent non-life-threatening injury, Parten said. Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 4 Sep. 2026 The child was evaluated by medical personnel, then placed in the custody of the Department of Social Services, officials said. Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 4 Sep. 2026 That led us to evaluate things, bring them up to him and then work toward righting the ship. Will Sammon, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026 With more than 50 new players on the roster, Mizzou had a lot of things to evaluate against the Golden Lions. Pj Green september 4, Kansas City Star, 4 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for evaluate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for evaluate
Verb
  • Baker chose to have a judge, rather than the jury, assess his punishment.
    Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 Sep. 2026
  • Beyond that, Illinois has now fallen behind Republican states such as Texas that have paused to assess data centers’ effect on the state’s energy grid.
    Patrick McNamara, Chicago Tribune, 6 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Prosecutors alleged that Donna was one of the masterminds behind Markel’s murder, helping to fund the contract killing, which was estimated to cost even more than $100,000, according to court documents obtained by CNN.
    Jordana Comiter, PEOPLE, 4 Sep. 2026
  • National debt service is estimated to account for more than 25% of government expenses for fiscal year 2026.
    Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 3 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Most of us who have spent careers as osteopathic physicians in a largely allopathic American health care system have learned to value and embrace these unique aspects.
    Torie Bosch, STAT, 5 Sep. 2026
  • Equally, Pattinson’s ability to jump seamlessly between offbeat indies and hundred-million-dollar tentpoles is a skill the modern Academy tends to value.
    Nate Jones, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Evaluate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/evaluate. Accessed 9 Sep. 2026.

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