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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

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
The replacement value of the statue is estimated at $25,000, according to the probable cause statement. Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 14 Feb. 2025 In 2023, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in Denver, Colorado, estimated that between 3,000 and 9,000 turbine blades will be retired each year for the next 5 years in the US alone; that figure would then increase to between 10,000 and 20,000 until 2040. New Atlas, 14 Feb. 2025
Noun
Adult cougar population estimates hovered just under 2,000 in 2004, slowly climbed to just below 3,000 between 2014 and 2018, and dropped back to around 2,500 recently, according to a Utah Division of Wildlife Resources datasheet. Christine Peterson, Outdoor Life, 13 Feb. 2025 Net revenue estimates are between $1.7 billion and $1.8 billion. Jennifer Maas, Variety, 4 Feb. 2025 See all Example Sentences for estimate 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for estimate
Verb
  • In addition, there is a European Space Agency payload, the Package for Resource Observation and in-situ Prospecting for Exploration, commercial exploration and Transportation (PROSPECT), designed to assess the potential use of resources for human exploration.
    Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel, 15 Feb. 2025
  • The effort to assess the fire department’s needs was the subject of a lengthy debate on the council floor this week.
    David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times, 15 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • The unemployment rate, which is calculated from a separate survey, fell from 4.1% to 4%, an eight-month low, the Labor Department said Friday.
    Paul Davidson, USA TODAY, 7 Feb. 2025
  • For instance, the agency oversees the Traffic Flow Management System, which calculates the overall demand for airspace in U.S. airports and which airlines depend on.
    Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 7 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • Neil stands accused of activity that shocks our conscience, that ruins our previous estimation of his depth and art, because depth and art don’t excuse wrecking the lives of others.
    Mikal Gilmore, Rolling Stone, 16 Feb. 2025
  • But in some observers’ estimation, this is the most talented squad that the U.S. has ever iced.
    Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 14 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • Vanessa Perry, interim dean of the George Washington University School of Business, agrees with that assessment.
    Andrea Riquier, USA TODAY, 17 Feb. 2025
  • Other nations use economic assessments to decide whether to cover drugs and at what price, often paying far less than the U.S. for the same treatments.
    Robin Fields, CNN, 17 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Times are changing but what Chaska has always valued is its history and the preservation of and celebration of that history.
    Bob Roepke, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025
  • Best for coffee or espresso lovers who value quality and consistency and don’t mind ordering pods online.
    Emily Farris, Bon Appétit, 6 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • We’re locked in all week to try and figure that out.
    Kyle Feldscher, CNN, 5 Feb. 2025
  • With Luzardo traded to Philadelphia and Garrett out for the year after elbow surgery, the Marlins’ second through fifth starters figure to include Ryan Weathers and Edward Cabrera, likely Valente Bellozo and either Max Meyer, Adam Mazur or someone who’s not currently on the 40-man roster.
    Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 4 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • Other appraisals are even more sobering, with some studies estimating that nearly 90 percent of some regions’ populations have fled since 2014.
    Andrew Kosenko, Foreign Affairs, 5 Feb. 2025
  • Among other changes, the policy revisions require the city to perform an independent appraisal before proceeding with any acquisition — a step that was not taken before the city approved the lease-to-own deal for the Ash Street property.
    Jeff McDonald, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • The administrative support staffing summary from Citygate’s evaluation identified several deficiencies in management organization and staffing levels.
    Julia Fomby, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025
  • The current call for proposals will only cover the earliest phases of development, such as a requirements evaluation, cost estimation review, and a feasibility meeting.
    Stephen Clark, Ars Technica, 7 Feb. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near estimate

Cite this Entry

“Estimate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/estimate. Accessed 20 Feb. 2025.

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