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 Instead of treating share changes as ex post explanations, the organization could evaluate prospective moves and understand which segments and behaviors would drive the biggest impact. Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 18 Mar. 2026 The Nets are using these games to evaluate, to learn who can handle minutes, who can string together good possessions, and who can be part of the team’s future. C.j. Holmes, New York Daily News, 18 Mar. 2026 Respondents were asked to evaluate their lives on a scale from 0 to 10. ABC News, 18 Mar. 2026 The Cubs and Marquee will evaluate annually how many spring games to put on air. Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 18 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for evaluate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for evaluate
Verb
  • This stop will assess what can be fixed immediately and what requires attention at its home port in Norfolk.
    Munis Raza, Interesting Engineering, 19 Mar. 2026
  • There might also be physiological effects directly related to the pollutants, but the study method didn’t allow those to be assessed.
    Richard A. Lovett, Outside, 19 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • It is estimated that there are 500,000 detectable earthquakes in the world each year.
    CA Earthquake Bot, Sacbee.com, 18 Mar. 2026
  • Back in 1961, astronomer Frank Drake put chalk to board and devised a formula to estimate the number of communicative civilizations in the Milky Way.
    Leonard David, Space.com, 17 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Their unpaid labor is valued at $600 billion annually, more than all out-of-pocket health spending in the country combined.
    Neal K. Shah, Boston Herald, 17 Mar. 2026
  • The men stole dozens of jewelry pieces, valued at approximately $20,000, according to the DA’s office.
    Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 16 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Evaluate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/evaluate. Accessed 21 Mar. 2026.

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