1
as in shrewd
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2
as in cunning
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1
as in figuring
to determine (a value) by doing the necessary mathematical operations
the family has been calculating what a week at the beach resort would end up costing
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2
as in estimating
to decide the size, amount, number, or distance of (something) without actual measurement
I calculate that this job will take another two days to finish
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3
as in planning
to work out the details of (something) in advance
calculated the best route to take to the coast
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4
as in intending
to have in mind as a purpose or goal
I calculate to run a marathon from start to finish—even if it kills me
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5
as in relying
to place reliance or trust
we know we can calculate on you following through, whatever the assignment
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of calculating
Rebekah Frumkin, Washington Post, 6 Sep. 2019
And experts believe that his intuitive style could throw the more calculating Caruana, who has faced time crunches already in this championship, off-balance.
—Joshua Robinson, WSJ, 27 Nov. 2018
Quanta Magazine, 29 Apr. 2026
But there are other factors that make calculating the distance of future Artemis missions a little complicated.
—Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 25 Apr. 2026
Taylor Polidore Williams recurs as Brooke Cropper, Eric’s second wife who is just as calculating as her husband and is methodically preparing for a heated divorce.
—Joe Otterson, Variety, 24 Apr. 2026
But Warsh wants to go a step further, by rooting out extreme price shocks when calculating overall inflation.
—Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 23 Apr. 2026
Instead of calculating an infinite number of paths, the researchers suggested calculating ‘least action’ classical paths that could produce the same result.
—Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 23 Apr. 2026
Another example is calculating both address numerology and personal numerology to get a better picture of how you and your home work together.
—Kristina McGuirk, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 Apr. 2026
There could indeed be two ways of calculating such things — but the difference is very important.
—ABC News, 23 Apr. 2026
Looming over the competition is the threat of nuclear annihilation that a calculating KGB agent warns his American counterpart is a very real danger if this contest doesn’t go off as planned.
—Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2026
Adjective
Even Alex becomes too entangled in her students’ dealings and ends up suffering at the hands of one of the more calculating boys.
—Rebekah Frumkin, Washington Post, 6 Sep. 2019
And experts believe that his intuitive style could throw the more calculating Caruana, who has faced time crunches already in this championship, off-balance.
—Joshua Robinson, WSJ, 27 Nov. 2018
Verb
In the tradition of the intuitionist mathematician calculating larger or more precise numbers with time and effort, Gisin allows for more and more information to be created.
—Quanta Magazine, 29 Apr. 2026
But there are other factors that make calculating the distance of future Artemis missions a little complicated.
—Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 25 Apr. 2026
Taylor Polidore Williams recurs as Brooke Cropper, Eric’s second wife who is just as calculating as her husband and is methodically preparing for a heated divorce.
—Joe Otterson, Variety, 24 Apr. 2026
But Warsh wants to go a step further, by rooting out extreme price shocks when calculating overall inflation.
—Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 23 Apr. 2026
Instead of calculating an infinite number of paths, the researchers suggested calculating ‘least action’ classical paths that could produce the same result.
—Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 23 Apr. 2026
Another example is calculating both address numerology and personal numerology to get a better picture of how you and your home work together.
—Kristina McGuirk, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 Apr. 2026
There could indeed be two ways of calculating such things — but the difference is very important.
—ABC News, 23 Apr. 2026
Looming over the competition is the threat of nuclear annihilation that a calculating KGB agent warns his American counterpart is a very real danger if this contest doesn’t go off as planned.
—Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for calculating
Adjective
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If Ty Simpson develops into a top NFL quarterback who leads the Rams to a Super Bowl title, the club will look back at the 2026 draft as one of the best and shrewdest in its history.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Apr. 2026
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The Braves enjoyed a renaissance under Snitker’s leadership, ushering in a line of acclaimed prospects and shrewd acquisitions that created the second-best era of sustained success in Atlanta history.—
Gabriel Burns,
AJC.com,
26 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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As Michael moves into solo stardom and makes cunning business moves, the film captures how his seemingly naive idealism was also a form of ambition.—
Spencer Kornhaber,
The Atlantic,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Past friends and former associates described him to me as an exceptionally cunning con man, a consummate charmer, and a womanizer.—
Nate Freeman,
Vanity Fair,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Working with the Calling All Dreamers advisors, Christine Wonderson is figuring how to break the business down into more achievable chunks, rather than trying to do everything at once.—
Sean Timberlake,
Sacbee.com,
22 Apr. 2026
-
Tanner Scott and Blake Treinen will need to step up, with Alex Vesia also figuring to factor into Roberts’ late-inning plans.—
Fabian Ardaya,
New York Times,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
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In 1999, the Institute of Medicine’s landmark report To Err Is Human shocked the nation by estimating that 44,000 to 98,000 Americans were dying each year from preventable medical errors.—
Joe Kiani,
Fortune,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Across the country, most jobs now require education or training beyond high school, with research estimating that close to three-quarters of jobs will require postsecondary education by 2031.—
Jessica Handy,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
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An hour before Hitchcock's execution, Texas is planning to put James Broadnax to death for the 2008 double murder of two Christian music producers in the Dallas suburb of Garland.—
Amanda Lee Myers,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2026
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Countries across the Gulf have arrested scores of people during the war, on charges ranging from posting images of wartime damage, to planning terrorist attacks with Iran.—
Dominic Dudley,
semafor.com,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Police believe Lewis killed King intending to steal his Hyundai Sonata.—
Emerson Clarridge,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
24 Apr. 2026
-
The Essay The op-ed itself is a short essay intending to inform the public about an issue and to indicate some means for its resolution.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Skydio has warned against relying on international suppliers after the drone maker was cut off from its supply of Chinese batteries when it was blacklisted by Beijing in October, the Wall Street Journal reported.—
Itzel Luna,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Apr. 2026
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Kean Jr's absence comes at a time when Republican representatives are relying on a narrow majority to pass legislation before the midterm elections in November.—
Alexa Herrera,
CBS News,
28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Unseld was cagey about the playing-time restrictions for all three players, declining to share details about any of their medical limits during his pregame news conference.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Feb. 2026
-
While department officials initially were cagey about whether pepper spray would be allowed at the new Kilpatrick, the department ultimately determined officers would not carry it.—
Jason Henry,
Daily News,
15 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Calculating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/calculating. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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