calculating 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of calculatingnext
1
as in shrewd

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2
as in cunning

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calculating

2 of 2

verb

present participle of calculate
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

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 calculating
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
With shifting alliances and deception, only the most calculating player will survive to win it all, per the logline. — Peter White, Deadline, 13 Oct. 2026 Cline‘s 2023 novel, published by Penguin Random House, centers on a calculating grifter who navigates the treacherous world of summer in the Hamptons. — Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 9 Oct. 2026 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 Payment history is the largest factor in calculating a FICO® Score, accounting for 35% of the score. — Jasmin Suknanan, CNBC, 4 Oct. 2026 People with eating disorders may exhibit compulsive behaviors around both exercise and eating, including working out for multiple hours every day and carefully calculating every aspect of their diet. — Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 2 Oct. 2026 Disappearance of one observer to another can occur between two surveyors in the process of calculating the dimensions of a large area of terrain. — Jeffrey Weiss, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2026 Studying these dynamics directly is difficult because calculating their real-time evolution becomes increasingly demanding for classical computers, particularly as the system develops substantial quantum entanglement. — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 27 Sep. 2026 When Bender considers moving to a rival network, Wever fleshes out the tough carapace of a woman who, even under the thorniest of circumstances, never stops calculating her next move. — Justin Chang, New Yorker, 25 Sep. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for calculating
  1. shrewd
  2. cunning
  3. figuring
  4. estimating
  5. planning
  6. intending
  7. relying
  8. cagey
Adjective
  • In another shrewd move from Neon, the studio announced that when Oscar season rolls around, Borisov will be running in the lead-actor category and Garfield in supporting alongside Rylance and Barbaro.
    — Chris Murphy, Vanity Fair, 6 Oct. 2026
  • As an adolescent, Winston could hardly have imagined the cascading effect of his shrewd eye for color and clarity.
    — Paige Reddinger, Robb Report, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of shrewd
Adjective
  • Magpies are opportunistic scavengers, incredibly cunning and deceitful and capable of calculated deception.
    — Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 28 Sep. 2026
  • Last week, Alan Cumming’s cunning competition empire The Traitors unsheathed its most diabolical twist yet.
    — Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of cunning
Verb
  • This is also figuring that Warners unleashes Digger on Premium VOD soon and does a decent number relative to the box office because people are curious.
    — Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 4 Oct. 2026
  • UConn has been figuring it out with 87 new players, many of whom hadn’t seen regular game reps at their prior stop.
    — Joe Arruda, Hartford Courant, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of figuring
Verb
  • All of this is why James is estimating the tally to restore the carousel will top $3 million or $4 million.
    — Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Every 2026 Sienna uses a hybrid powertrain, with Toyota estimating up to 36 mpg combined with front-wheel drive and 35 mpg with all-wheel drive.
    — Chris Hardesty, AJC.com, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of estimating
Verb
  • In another message, Urich shares a speech Netanyahu is planning to give.
    — Ben Smith, semafor.com, 12 Oct. 2026
  • That unique gallery purchased the building in 2018 for $3 million, but officials there didn’t begin planning its future in earnest until Cap City vacated its lease and closed in July 2025.
    — John Wenzel, Denver Post, 11 Oct. 2026
Definition of planning
Verb
  • The idea is that individuals pursuing their own interests in a free market can, without intending it, advance the interests of society as a whole.
    — Linda K. Brown Stroh, Fortune, 11 Oct. 2026
  • The plane was flying from Dubai to Tel Aviv and was intending to land at Ben Gurion midmorning on a busy weekday.
    — Kat Lonsdorf, NPR, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of intending
Verb
  • Apply the same technique to other theme answers, relying on the crossing entries for help.
    — Sean McGowan, New York Times, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Today, Putin follows essentially the same model, seeking to erode allies’ confidence in NATO’s Article 5 by relying on tactics that fall below the threshold of a conventional warfare and leave unaffected members hesitant to respond.
    — Julianne Smith, Foreign Affairs, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of relying
Adjective
  • The second leg was a cagier affair, ending 1-1, with Dembele again on the scoresheet.
    — Tom Burrows, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
  • In some interviews, Davis was cagey and refused to name the shooter.
    — Jeff Weiss, HollywoodReporter, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of cagey

Browse Nearby Words

calculates
calculating
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Cite this Entry

“Calculating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/calculating. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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