estimate 1 of 2

Definition of estimatenext

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

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 estimate
Verb
Club sources, speaking anonymously as they were not authorised to do so, have told The Athletic that the net debt is estimated around €90million, and this amount would need to be deducted from the final price. Guillermo Rai, New York Times, 12 May 2026 Experts estimate about 10 million metric tons of sargassum are floating in the Atlantic, now covering South Florida beaches. Bri Buckley, CBS News, 12 May 2026
Noun
Now, analysts are rapidly increasing their earnings estimates. Ryan Vlastelica, Fortune, 10 May 2026 While the first quarter earnings were moderately better than expected and should improve 2026 estimates, headwinds will likely keep Berkshire’s full-year operating earnings growth at the low single digits at best. Bill Stone, Forbes.com, 10 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for estimate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for estimate
Verb
  • The congresswoman asked lawmakers to assess the situation and develop a repatriation plan by the end of the day on May 7.
    Eve Chen, USA Today, 8 May 2026
  • If Lively’s bid is granted, the court will schedule proceedings to assess the reputational fallout that flowed from Baldoni’s lawsuit.
    Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 7 May 2026
Verb
  • Redford sought to play the Bob Woodward character as reserved and calculating, while Hoffman, as Carl Bernstein, was manic and chain-smoking.
    Peter Bart, Deadline, 7 May 2026
  • That night, Paige downloaded an app to calculate her due date.
    Kelsey Monstrola, USA Today, 7 May 2026
Noun
  • So what ends up happening in my estimation is a staggering number, 2%.
    Dana Taylor, USA Today, 6 May 2026
  • By International Energy Agency chief Fatih Birol’s estimations, Europe has about three weeks of jet fuel remaining.
    Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 4 May 2026
Noun
  • California’s current public health monitoring protocol includes daily temperature checks, assessment for any symptoms consistent with hantavirus, and direction to modify activities as necessary.
    Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 11 May 2026
  • States would retain authority over scope of practice, supervision rules, and enforcement, but could not impose duplicative competency assessments.
    Alon Bergman, STAT, 11 May 2026
Verb
  • OpenAI is rumored to be gearing up to go public later this year or early next, and was recently valued at $852 billion.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2026
  • As of 2024, Port Laredo accounted for 62% of the state’s land port trade, valued at nearly $340 billion, according to data collected by the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts.
    Joe Kottke, NBC news, 11 May 2026
Verb
  • Hannah Neeleman and her husband, Daniel, look like average beaming newlyweds, young parents fake-posing with margaritas and figuring things out.
    Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 11 May 2026
  • If anything, the long-time executive knows that pending roster crunches often figure themselves out.
    Katie Woo, New York Times, 11 May 2026
Noun
  • Sellers may additionally be assuaged by having greater certainty a deal will actually go through, which is why limiting or waiving contingencies, such as for a home inspection or appraisal, can boost your odds.
    Becca Stanek, TheWeek, 8 May 2026
  • Be ready to address appraisal gaps.
    Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 May 2026
Noun
  • On the one hand, background checks and psychological evaluations could help weed out individuals with questionable motives.
    Ava Kofman, New Yorker, 11 May 2026
  • Her evaluation of the experience?
    Viju Mathew, Robb Report, 11 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Estimate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/estimate. Accessed 13 May. 2026.

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