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
Schmidt is hardly alone in naively extrapolating this trend out and concluding that, in the limit, AI will inevitably consume all the energy in the world.
—
Rob Toews,
Forbes.com,
22 June 2026
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
Rob Toews,
Forbes.com,
22 June 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for extrapolating
Verb
-
Adoring the outcome means deriving joy from seeing the success of others.
-
But deriving a unified theory of volcanism will require a geologic Manhattan Project.
Verb
-
Other messages described starvation, brutal military drills, constant drone attacks and recruits being punished for not understanding Russian commands.
-
The two sides have 60 days from their signing of the memorandum of understanding this month to work out details.
Verb
-
In deciding to be cautious in handling two-time All-Star Shane McClanahan’s return to action for the first time since August 2023 by skipping his turn in the rotation, the Rays put some extra work on their relievers by designating Saturday as a bullpen game.
-
But being heard is not the same as being placed in the position of deciding between parents.
Cite this Entry
“Extrapolating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/extrapolating. Accessed 30 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
