as in approximately
close to but not exactly
I have plus or minus five dollars in change
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 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
-
Apple will pay an average of approximately $150 million annually to Formula 1 under the pact, valuing it at about $750 million over the term, according to a source with direct knowledge of the agreement.—
Todd Spangler,
Variety,
17 Oct. 2025
-
The earthquake's epicenter was located approximately 1 mile east of Berkeley and occurred at a depth of 5 miles.—
CA Earthquake Bot,
Sacbee.com,
17 Oct. 2025
Adverb
-
The Big Sugar Gravel Race will feature about 2,800 participants racing in 25-, 50- and 100-mile courses that begin and end in downtown Bentonville and loop up north, according to Rivard.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
17 Oct. 2025
-
Under Do’s board chairmanship, CalOptima CEO Michael Hunn’s pay was increased by about 50% in 2022 to $841,500 a year.—
Claire Wang,
Oc Register,
17 Oct. 2025
Adverb
-
Huntington Beach officials said the crash, which was documented in multiple videos circulating on social media, occurred Saturday afternoon at a beach parking lot in the bustling coastal town, roughly 40 miles southeast of downtown Los Angeles.—
Jay Cannon,
USA Today,
12 Oct. 2025
-
The epicenter was situated roughly 2 miles east-southeast of Berkeley, at a depth of 6 miles.—
CA Earthquake Bot,
Sacbee.com,
12 Oct. 2025
Adverb
-
The move would raise total duties on imports from China to around 130% – effectively a trade embargo and just shy of the 145% peak reached at the height of the trade war this spring.—
John Liu,
CNN Money,
13 Oct. 2025
-
Throughout Lang’s brief career, there were hints of fancy dress—of the little girl who rootles around in a box of grownup costumes, trying out one look after the next.—
Anthony Lane,
New Yorker,
13 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Plus or minus.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/plus%20or%20minus. Accessed 19 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share