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 Any service reductions must be carefully evaluated based on their unique impacts across neighborhoods. David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 2026 According to the report, all graders complete months of formal training before evaluating cards independently, followed by more than 13,000 supervised evaluations. Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 7 May 2026 Acton will not throw for two more weeks and then will be evaluated. Betsy Helfand, Twin Cities, 7 May 2026 Licata said the process for principal selections included evaluating data, test scores, an intense interview process and classroom walkthroughs. Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for evaluate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for evaluate
Verb
  • The congresswoman asked lawmakers to assess the situation and develop a repatriation plan by the end of the day on May 7.
    Eve Chen, USA Today, 8 May 2026
  • If Lively’s bid is granted, the court will schedule proceedings to assess the reputational fallout that flowed from Baldoni’s lawsuit.
    Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 7 May 2026
Verb
  • Steele is now unlikely to rejoin the Cubs’ rotation until after the July All-Star break, Counsell estimated.
    Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 29 Apr. 2026
  • The president most recently estimated that the project will cost somewhere between $300 million and $400 million.
    Christian Datoc, The Washington Examiner, 28 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Alphabet announced plans to raise its AI spending, but also exhibited an ability to monetize AI through ad revenue and demand for cloud contract services, with a backlog of deals valued at $460 billion, according to the company’s earnings results.
    John Towfighi, CNN Money, 4 May 2026
  • This fourth season was the series’ most ambitious, both in its set pieces (shoot-outs, car chases) and in its interrogation of what its characters value and love, and if Dark Winds can keep mixing up the flavor of Leaphorn and Chee’s foes, its forecast looks good.
    Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 4 May 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Evaluate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/evaluate. Accessed 11 May. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on evaluate

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster