miscalculation

noun

mis·​cal·​cu·​la·​tion ˌmis-ˌkal-kyə-ˈlā-shən How to pronounce miscalculation (audio)
plural miscalculations
: a mistake in calculation : wrong calculation
a costly miscalculation
… ruled that utility shareholders, not electricity consumers, must pay for some or all of the miscalculations that resulted in excessive expansion or cost overruns.Peter Nulty

Examples of miscalculation in a Sentence

treating her opponent as an intellectual lightweight was a serious miscalculation on her part
Recent Examples on the Web
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And even that total is in doubt given other miscalculations. Joey Garrison, USA TODAY, 20 Feb. 2025 Nicknames can be a sign of affection — or a terrible miscalculation. Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 17 Feb. 2025 The Connecticut Mirror reported last month that the annual cost of maintaining long-term care coverage has skyrocketed for many residents due to miscalculations by insurers on how long people would live, the price of care and how many would need it. Jenna Carlesso, Hartford Courant, 12 Feb. 2025 But some level of trust even underpins relationships with adversaries, with whom the United States regularly communicates through official and unofficial channels to avert dangerous miscalculations and misunderstandings. James Goldgeier, Foreign Affairs, 7 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for miscalculation

Word History

First Known Use

1653, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of miscalculation was in 1653

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Cite this Entry

“Miscalculation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/miscalculation. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.

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