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estimate

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noun

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb estimate differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of estimate are appraise, assess, evaluate, rate, and value. While all these words mean "to judge something with respect to its worth or significance," estimate implies a judgment, considered or casual, that precedes or takes the place of actual measuring or counting or testing out.

estimated the crowd at two hundred

Where would appraise be a reasonable alternative to estimate?

The words appraise and estimate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, appraise commonly implies the fixing by an expert of the monetary worth of a thing, but it may be used of any critical judgment.

having their house appraised

When can assess be used instead of estimate?

While the synonyms assess and estimate are close in meaning, assess implies a critical appraisal for the purpose of understanding or interpreting, or as a guide in taking action.

officials are trying to assess the damage

When might evaluate be a better fit than estimate?

While in some cases nearly identical to estimate, evaluate suggests an attempt to determine relative or intrinsic worth in terms other than monetary.

evaluate a student's work

How are the words rate and estimate related?

Rate adds to estimate the notion of placing a thing according to a scale of values.

a highly rated restaurant

How do value and appraise relate to one another, in the sense of estimate?

Value equals appraise but without implying expertness of judgment.

a watercolor valued by the donor at $500

Examples 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 estimate
Verb
In the planning documents, the BLM estimated the trees in this area were around 90 years old. April Ehrlich, ProPublica, 12 Nov. 2024 By 2030, the number of adults with osteoporosis or low bone mass is estimated to increase by more than 30% to 71 million. Jianying Zhang, Discover Magazine, 8 Nov. 2024
Noun
An analysis from Tufts University found 41 million Generation Z Americans will be able to vote in the election between former President Trump and Vice President Harris, with estimates that more than 8 million of them are first-time voters. Lexi Lonas Cochran, The Hill, 5 Nov. 2024 That's because tariffs are essentially sales taxes paid by U.S. consumers, with the typical household paying about $1,700 more each year in additional costs, according to one estimate. Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 5 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for estimate 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for estimate
Verb
  • In a larger effort, Hoskin and colleagues recently assessed the habitat ranges of 55 eastern Australian frog species, including 25 affected by Bd.
    Martin J. Kernan, Discover Magazine, 16 Nov. 2024
  • If the challenge had been unsuccessful, the Sharks would have been assessed a delay-of-game penalty.
    Curtis Pashelka, The Mercury News, 10 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • Based on its insurance claims data, State Farm calculates that the odds of U.S. drivers hitting an animal this year are 1 in 128, down slightly from 1 in 127 last year.
    Gary Stoller, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024
  • Whether calculated or a coincidence, this trio of hair accessories makes a cute stocking stuffer for Swifties.
    Claire Sullivan, WWD, 21 Nov. 2024
Noun
  • The allowance for credit losses decreased to $21.4 million, reflecting updates to the loss estimation model.
    Quartz Bot, Quartz, 7 Nov. 2024
  • Under the hood of generative AI, there is a whole bunch of statistical and probabilistic estimations going on, see my detailed explanation at the link here.
    Lance Eliot, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
Noun
  • That being so, the AI age of warfare will be reduced primarily to an assessment not of an adversary’s capabilities but rather of its intentions and their strategic applications.
    Henry A. Kissinger, Foreign Affairs, 18 Nov. 2024
  • Cruz confirms Joe’s on the flight to Dallas with an apt assessment of their new lioness, as well as a promising new mission plan through which to funnel her instincts.
    Andy Andersen, Vulture, 17 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • That Respects Cultural Differences Building a unique company culture that values diverse backgrounds is key.
    Expert Panel®, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024
  • Traditional wisdom warned against it, but this approach attracted passionate customers and partners who valued the mission.
    Rolling Stone Culture Council, Rolling Stone, 20 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • With Jenna recently going off to college, OP figured the tradition might come to an end.
    Angela Andaloro, People.com, 20 Nov. 2024
  • The views from the sideline and in Jerry Jones’ owner’s suite said it all, as there was a ton of head shaking and exasperated looks with the team pressing to figure it out.
    Scott Thompson, Fox News, 19 Nov. 2024
Noun
  • An appraisal prepared the last time Trump refinanced estimated that in those circumstances, the 40 Wall land would be worth around $160 million, yielding a reset annual rent of around $10 million — more than the building’s current net operating income.
    Paula Aceves, Curbed, 31 Oct. 2024
  • Like health, car or property insurance, appraisals for losses or damages rely on standards — known as Good Farming Practices — that ensure low yields aren’t caused by mismanagement.
    Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 30 July 2024
Noun
  • However, many human resource experts have been working to rebrand these year-end evaluations.
    Sean Manning, Forbes, 22 Nov. 2024
  • The program, which is not a degree-granting initiative, focuses on critical entrepreneurial tools, including opportunity evaluation, competitive analysis, and developing sustainable business models, according to the program’s website.
    Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 21 Nov. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near estimate

Cite this Entry

“Estimate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/estimate. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

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