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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 extrapolating
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
Noise around some assumptions used to plug missing data from the government shutdown kept investors from extrapolating too much from the benign reading.
—Michael Santoli, CNBC, 18 Dec. 2025
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
Noise around some assumptions used to plug missing data from the government shutdown kept investors from extrapolating too much from the benign reading.
—Michael Santoli, CNBC, 18 Dec. 2025
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
-
Since Ganymede likely hides a vast ocean beneath its ice shell, understanding how its magnetic field survives could offer clues about potentially habitable environments elsewhere in the solar system.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
10 May 2026
-
Because your husband is having trouble understanding that being alone in the house for extended periods isn’t good for your mental health (or physical health for that matter), perhaps your doctor can explain it to him.—
Abigail Van Buren,
Boston Herald,
9 May 2026
Verb
-
When a new customer is deciding between two similar products, the design can be a tiebreaker.—
Shep Hyken,
Forbes.com,
10 May 2026
-
Sometimes, the hardest part of making dinner is deciding what to make.—
Sophia Beams,
Better Homes & Gardens,
10 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Extrapolating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/extrapolating. Accessed 16 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
