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
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The name of the resort itself has a similar tie, with Candyroot deriving its name from a small native plant that grows in sandy soil.—
Erik Matuszewski,
Forbes.com,
19 May 2026
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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
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And understanding it—alongside what actually makes Boomers different from every dominant class that preceded them—tells you more about where America is stuck than any balance sheet.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
14 June 2026
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One useful lens for understanding this landscape divides entities into five main groups based on their primary orientation toward creating value.—
Steve Denning,
Forbes.com,
14 June 2026
Verb
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From Times Square’s screens to sidewalk signs, the entire city has been decked out in anticipation of hosting eight of the 104 matches, including the champion-deciding final on Sunday, July 19.—
Rachel Chang,
Travel + Leisure,
12 June 2026
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Amanda and a group of friends went to a housewarming party before deciding on a whim to go to Pulse, an LGBTQ+-friendly nightclub that was hosting a Latin Night.—
Janelle Griffith,
PEOPLE,
12 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Extrapolating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/extrapolating. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
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