Definition of estimatenext

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
Creating community El Fenix At its height, Little Mexico's population is estimated to have ranged from 7,000 to 10,000 people. — Alexis Guerrero, CBS News, 8 Oct. 2026 Property owners would be responsible paying to connect to lines, but the study did not estimate those costs. — Brian Bell, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Oct. 2026
Noun
The brokers’ ballpark estimates for Young Howard ran into thousands of dollars a year. — Howard Wolinsky, STAT, 7 Oct. 2026 Whereas Luria's fiscal 2027 earnings-per-share estimate stands at $161, the LSEG consensus is already at nearly $174. — Zev Fima, CNBC, 7 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for estimate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for estimate
Verb
  • It’s been further modified by many factors, from today’s online publishing platforms to new means for assessing and quantifying scientific impact, and the increasingly interdisciplinary and team-based nature of research.
    — Jeffrey S. Flier, STAT, 5 Oct. 2026
  • However, as some researchers have pointed out, the available studies didn’t assess whether emotions are actually regulated through the chatbot, and therefore conflate distress relief with attachment.
    — Pascal Vrticka, Scientific American, 4 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • The group compared water bills in 2025 to 2015, calculating the annual amount for a typical household using 60,000 gallons of water indoors, or about 50 gallons per person per day.
    — Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Integral members of American society, whose absence contributes to financial and psychological damage to other Americans—typically children—in ways yet to be calculated.
    — Daniel Peña, Literary Hub, 7 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Not only that, but the biggest play of the game, in Reid’s estimation, was made by the kickoff-coverage team.
    — Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 5 Oct. 2026
  • This is encouraging — trustworthy system should be able to pump the breaks and realize when data inputs are too unreliable to make accurate estimations.
    — Euan Ashley, STAT, 1 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Organizations must translate governance into ownership, controls, risk assessments, testing, monitoring, incident response and measurable accountability.
    — Muhammad Affan Habib, Forbes.com, 1 Oct. 2026
  • In some cases, HOAs even have the legal authority to foreclose on homes if a homeowner fails to pay HOA fees or assessments.
    — Stephanie A. Dhuman, The Conversation, 30 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • In April 2020, Paramount (then ViacomCBS) closed its purchase of a 49% stake in Miramax in a deal valued at $375 million.
    — Andrew McGowan, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Modern j-beauty pairs those traditional inputs with newer science like exosomes and biomimetic peptides, a combination that appeals to readers who value both heritage and clinical credibility.
    — Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 30 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • The screening’s reception was so strong that nearly every major player entered the fray, driving the bidding to figures the indie distributor simply couldn’t turn down.
    — Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 7 Oct. 2026
  • French productions and talent still often figure highly in the awards season winning prizes outside of the international feature category.
    — Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 6 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • The company’s responsibilities have included negotiating acquisitions, structuring deals, ensuring project appraisals are completed and collaborating with the state agency that Bell leads.
    — Rob Davis, ProPublica, 2 Oct. 2026
  • How Items Are Evaluated and Offers Communicated Once the package has been opened, Sell Your Gold separates the pieces for evaluation and records the appraisal work.
    — Kaitlyn Gomez, Miami Herald, 30 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • No payment is requested or exchanged at any point during the selection, evaluation or ranking process; inclusion is based solely on the methodology.
    — Kelli Grant, CFP®,Riley de León, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Topstep, a futures prop-trading firm, disclosed in March that roughly 17% of evaluations started in 2025 were successfully completed.
    — Camila Grigera Naón, Fortune, 7 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Estimate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/estimate. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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