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

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
Ann Grimmett, expert and VP of Merchandising at Jared Jewelers, estimated that the jewel contains 6 carats and is worth around $225,000. Brendan Le, PEOPLE, 28 Apr. 2026 An Urban Institute report from March estimated that the changes would mean about 5 million to 10 million people fewer people nationally would be enrolled in Medicaid than would have been otherwise. ABC News, 28 Apr. 2026
Noun
The New York Times said three to six months was their estimate for how long Iran could survive easily enough. Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 27 Apr. 2026 The hospitalization estimates are equally absurd, implying that one in 18 additional Americans would have required hospitalization for COVID from December 2020–November 2022. Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 27 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for estimate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for estimate
Verb
  • Robinson — who stepped over Daniels during a testy Game 2 exchange — and Daniels were assessed offsetting technical fouls and were both ejected.
    Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 1 May 2026
  • Orland Park Assistant Village Manager Jim Culotta said the village will decide whether to continue funding the program for residents after three years, assessing how many residents use the service and how its received by the broader community.
    Olivia Stevens, Chicago Tribune, 30 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • For The Times) Dollars and sensitivities The financial implications of the strike are difficult to calculate at this juncture, but the district doesn’t necessarily lose money.
    Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 30 Apr. 2026
  • They’re calculated, high-tech operations.
    Chris Spear, New York Daily News, 30 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • In Trent’s estimation, those at the federal level aren’t listening enough to small business owners, with many of the administration’s policies aimed at enriching large corporations.
    Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Apr. 2026
  • The alarming statement followed Gross’s estimation that the risk of a nuclear war was increasing from 1 percent per year to about 2 percent annually.
    Manon Bischoff, Scientific American, 19 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Domestic infrastructure for large-scale sorting, assessment, and processing remains underdeveloped.
    Jessica Binns, Vogue, 27 Apr. 2026
  • Colleges are beginning to respond with interviews, oral examinations, and in-person assessments.
    Gerald Bradshaw, Chicago Tribune, 27 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • The organization clearly values him.
    Max Bultman, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
  • OpenAI, now valued at nearly $1 trillion following the success of ChatGPT, was established in 2015 as a charity dedicated to benefiting humanity.
    Brittney Melton, NPR, 27 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • And you were expected to figure it out no matter what.
    Larry Fink , Lori A Bashian, FOXNews.com, 27 Apr. 2026
  • Aptly enough, Hall figures Manning’s old office was right about where the new center field will be.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 26 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • In addition to working with academic institutions, Kline does appraisal, auction, consulting, and rental services.
    Daily News, Daily News, 24 Apr. 2026
  • Miller said one option would be for the property owners to get regular appraisals, which would be create a flood of demand for appraisal companies like his.
    Robert Frank, CNBC, 24 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • The evaluation of Payton will come during training camp and preseason, and that’s when the Eagles will have a decision to make.
    Zach Berman, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
  • The results are compared to baseline neurological evaluations players take at the start of the season.
    Anne M. Peterson, Chicago Tribune, 27 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Estimate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/estimate. Accessed 2 May. 2026.

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