as in approximately
close to but not exactly
I have plus or minus five dollars in change
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Recent Examples of plus or minus
The margin of error was plus or minus 3%, with a 95% confidence interval.
—
Emily Dreibelbis, PCMAG, 9 Feb. 2023
The Post-ABC poll was conducted Jan. 27 through Feb. 1, 2023, among a random national sample of 1,003 adults and has a margin of sampling error of plus or minus 3.5 percentage points among the full sample and a larger error margin among subgroups.
—Scott Clement, BostonGlobe.com, 6 Feb. 2023
The Post-ABC poll was conducted Jan. 27 through Feb. 1, 2023, among a random national sample of 1,003 adults and has a margin of sampling error of plus or minus 3.5 percentage points among the full sample and a larger error margin among subgroups.
—Scott Clement, Washington Post, 3 Feb. 2023
For the third quarter, the company guided for revenue of $2 billion, plus or minus $150 million.
—Kathryn Hardison, WSJ, 26 Jan. 2023
See All Example Sentences for plus or minus
Emily Dreibelbis, PCMAG, 9 Feb. 2023
The Post-ABC poll was conducted Jan. 27 through Feb. 1, 2023, among a random national sample of 1,003 adults and has a margin of sampling error of plus or minus 3.5 percentage points among the full sample and a larger error margin among subgroups.
—Scott Clement, BostonGlobe.com, 6 Feb. 2023
The Post-ABC poll was conducted Jan. 27 through Feb. 1, 2023, among a random national sample of 1,003 adults and has a margin of sampling error of plus or minus 3.5 percentage points among the full sample and a larger error margin among subgroups.
—Scott Clement, Washington Post, 3 Feb. 2023
For the third quarter, the company guided for revenue of $2 billion, plus or minus $150 million.
—Kathryn Hardison, WSJ, 26 Jan. 2023
See All Example Sentences for plus or minus
Recent Examples of Synonyms for plus or minus
Adverb
-
The earthquake struck at a depth of 6 miles, with its epicenter approximately 2 miles west of Lake Henshaw.—
CA Earthquake Bot,
Sacbee.com,
7 Mar. 2026
-
Trump issued a plan Friday to insure losses up to approximately $20 billion in the Gulf region, aiming to restore confidence in maritime trade, help stabilize international commerce and support American and allied businesses operating in the Middle East.—
Cathy Bussewitz,
Fortune,
7 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
This is, essentially, where snow is born — a layer of air, about 5,000 feet up, cold enough to support the formation of snowflakes.—
Andrew Freedman,
CNN Money,
7 Mar. 2026
-
Most sessions were set at a pace that pushed participants to about 80% of their maximum aerobic capacity — basically, how hard their heart and lungs can work to deliver oxygen during exercise.—
Miriam Fauzia,
Dallas Morning News,
6 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
Adolescence — roughly ages 10 to 19, according to the World Health Organization — is the critical window for developing confidence, a stable sense of identity and emotional regulation.—
Asuka Koda,
CNN Money,
7 Mar. 2026
-
Today, there are roughly 850 patients at the Norwalk site, down from a height of 5,000 in the 1950s, said Diana Barnes, who runs the state hospital’s museum.—
Andrew Khouri,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
Locals consistently rave about FIG and Leon’s Oyster Shop, though wandering around aimlessly—especially on the city’s lively King Street—is part of the fun, too.—
Annie Daly,
Vogue,
10 Mar. 2026
-
So instead of splashing around in new pools on Day 1, the Broncos ran it back.—
Parker Gabriel,
Denver Post,
10 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Plus or minus.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/plus%20or%20minus. Accessed 11 Mar. 2026.
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