estimate 1 of 2

estimate

2 of 2

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
  • The management fee is calculated as a percentage of the total net assets of UNG.
    Quartz Bot, Quartz, 8 Nov. 2024
  • As technology improved, scientists were better able to calculate Pluto’s mass, which prompted some astrophysicists to argue Pluto was not Planet X.
    Emilie Le Beau Lucchesi, Discover Magazine, 6 Nov. 2024
Noun
  • This closeness is the mean estimation error; a model that has a very low estimation error (e.g., is about 5 percentage points off or less) would be very impressive.
    Marco Rubio, Newsweek, 1 Nov. 2024
  • For this purpose, a kernel density estimation was applied to the study blocks, the results of which are consistent with the densities recorded in other Mayan archeological sites such as Oxpemul and Becan.
    Anna Lagos, WIRED, 30 Oct. 2024
Noun
  • The agency said the results of its analysis primarily matched Ford’s assessment, implying that most failures with defective valves already happened, the report said.
    James Powel, USA TODAY, 5 Nov. 2024
  • Intelligence assessments from the U.S., South Korea, and Ukraine estimate that North Korea has deployed approximately 10,000 to 12,000 troops to Russia.
    David Faris, Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • Two years ago, holdings of the estate valued at more than $150 million were split between a group representing some of the half-siblings and another group identified with Primary Wave publishing; Primary Wave had bought out Tyka Nelson’s interests some years earlier.
    Greg Evans, Deadline, 5 Nov. 2024
  • It was previously reported that only 149 homes valued at £10 million (roughly $13.2 million) or more have traded hands in the past 12 months, compared with 192 in the prior period.
    Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 5 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • The Cincinnati Fire Department's fire investigation unit has been tasked with figuring it out.
    Cameron Knight, The Enquirer, 5 Nov. 2024
  • As Americans focus their attention on Tuesday’s election, weather experts are keeping a close eye on a low-pressure system in the western Caribbean that figures to impact the U.S. later this week, though to what extent remains uncertain.
    Jorge L. Ortiz, USA TODAY, 4 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
  • Exploration, evaluation, and project expenses decreased to $409,179 from $534,371, reflecting lower overhead and payroll costs.
    Quartz Bot, Quartz, 8 Nov. 2024
  • Term limits, performance evaluations, and commitment to continuous learning are fundamental to the Board’s ability to stay ahead of rapid changes.
    Chris Morris, Fortune, 5 Nov. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near estimate

Cite this Entry

“Estimate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/estimate. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on estimate

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!