as in deriving
to form an opinion or reach a conclusion through reasoning and information
we can extrapolate from past economic recessions the probable course of the current one
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Recent Examples of extrapolating
Trump may also be extrapolating from his first term, and especially his first impeachment, when people in the government blew the whistle on his attempts to blackmail Ukraine into investigating Joe Biden and his family.
—
Tom Nichols, The Atlantic, 26 May 2026
But Sean McCloud, chair of UNC Charlotte’s Religious Studies Department, cautions against extrapolating too much from a handful of dioceses and what’s on social media.
—Mary Ramsey, Charlotte Observer, 30 Apr. 2026
Size estimates were derived by extrapolating from beak measurements using modern octopus anatomy as a reference.
—Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 24 Apr. 2026
The researchers estimated their overall size by extrapolating from the size of the beak specimens.
—Jack Guy, CNN Money, 23 Apr. 2026
But extrapolating from one sector to the entire economy is a mistake.
—Omar Abbosh, Fortune, 6 Apr. 2026
Consultants from both parties caution against extrapolating too much from special elections with limited turnout.
—ABC News, 30 Mar. 2026
Big data models learn by copying existing actions—how to fold clothes, write a dissertation, or create a video of a pig hoverboarding through space—by parsing previous examples and extrapolating similar behavior.
—Charlie Campbell, Time, 27 Jan. 2026
Upcoming Reports While college officials will be heartened by these data, they should be interpreted cautiously, particularly when extrapolating to what total applicant volume might look like by the end of the admission cycle.
—Michael T. Nietzel, Forbes.com, 16 Jan. 2026
Tom Nichols, The Atlantic, 26 May 2026
But Sean McCloud, chair of UNC Charlotte’s Religious Studies Department, cautions against extrapolating too much from a handful of dioceses and what’s on social media.
—Mary Ramsey, Charlotte Observer, 30 Apr. 2026
Size estimates were derived by extrapolating from beak measurements using modern octopus anatomy as a reference.
—Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 24 Apr. 2026
The researchers estimated their overall size by extrapolating from the size of the beak specimens.
—Jack Guy, CNN Money, 23 Apr. 2026
But extrapolating from one sector to the entire economy is a mistake.
—Omar Abbosh, Fortune, 6 Apr. 2026
Consultants from both parties caution against extrapolating too much from special elections with limited turnout.
—ABC News, 30 Mar. 2026
Big data models learn by copying existing actions—how to fold clothes, write a dissertation, or create a video of a pig hoverboarding through space—by parsing previous examples and extrapolating similar behavior.
—Charlie Campbell, Time, 27 Jan. 2026
Upcoming Reports While college officials will be heartened by these data, they should be interpreted cautiously, particularly when extrapolating to what total applicant volume might look like by the end of the admission cycle.
—Michael T. Nietzel, Forbes.com, 16 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for extrapolating
Verb
-
But deriving a unified theory of volcanism will require a geologic Manhattan Project.—
Quanta Magazine,
Quanta Magazine,
8 May 2026
-
On Thursday, a jury found Geisy Rodriguez Brito, 33, of Royal Palm Beach, guilty of human trafficking and unlawful use of a two-way communications device but not guilty of deriving support from the proceeds of prostitution or witness tampering.—
Shira Moolten,
Sun Sentinel,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Younger children may have trouble understanding the idea of a hurricane.—
Orlando Sentinel Staff,
The Orlando Sentinel,
24 May 2026
-
HowLitt credits Pratt with understanding how to break through with a communications message, something many Democrats do not.—
Ted Johnson,
Deadline,
24 May 2026
Verb
-
Her mother, Sara Spalding, attended Yale Law School and built a successful career for herself before ultimately deciding to stay home and raise her four kids.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
PEOPLE,
24 May 2026
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But, in a democracy, deciding whether the creation of the fund violates the moral maxim that no one can be a judge in his or her own cause ultimately will be up to the people.—
Austin Sarat,
Fortune,
24 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Extrapolating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/extrapolating. Accessed 30 May. 2026.
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