evaluate

verb

eval·​u·​ate i-ˈval-yə-ˌwāt How to pronounce evaluate (audio)
-yü-ˌāt
evaluated; evaluating
Synonyms of evaluate

transitive verb

1
: to determine or fix the value of
2
: to determine the significance, worth, or condition of usually by careful appraisal and study
evaluative
i-ˈval-yə-ˌwā-tiv How to pronounce evaluate (audio)
-yü-ˌā-
adjective
evaluator
i-ˈval-yə-ˌwā-tər How to pronounce evaluate (audio)
-yü-ˌā-
noun

Synonyms of evaluate

Relevance
See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus
Choose the Right Synonym for evaluate

estimate, appraise, evaluate, value, rate, assess 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

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

evaluate suggests an attempt to determine relative or intrinsic worth in terms other than monetary.

evaluate a student's work

value equals appraise but without implying expertness of judgment.

a watercolor valued by the donor at $500

rate adds to estimate the notion of placing a thing according to a scale of values.

a highly rated restaurant

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

Examples of evaluate in a Sentence

We need to evaluate our options. evaluate a training program as effective
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The two approaches address different challenges in developing fault-tolerant quantum computers, with simulations helping researchers evaluate designs before testing them on physical hardware. — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 19 Oct. 2026 Reports surfaced this week that UBS is evaluating a potential relocation of its corporate headquarters out of Switzerland, driven by Swiss government plans to further tighten bank capital regulations. — CNBC, 19 Oct. 2026 The Supreme Court was unable to consider a petition to review a copyright case after a rare lack of quorum due to four justices recusing themselves from evaluating the petition. — Jack Birle, The Washington Examiner, 19 Oct. 2026 The business also grades textiles for wholesale customers, evaluating items by condition, material, size, brand and style. — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 19 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for evaluate

Word History

Etymology

back-formation from evaluation, from French évaluation, from Middle French evaluacion, from esvaluer to evaluate, from e- + value value

First Known Use

1842, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of evaluate was in 1842

Phrases Containing evaluate

Rhymes for evaluate

See All Rhymes for evaluate

Browse Nearby Words

evaluable
evaluate
evaluation
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Evaluate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/evaluate. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

evaluate

verb
eval·​u·​ate i-ˈval-yə-ˌwāt How to pronounce evaluate (audio)
evaluated; evaluating
1
: to find the value of
evaluate a mathematical expression
2
: to decide the value or worth of after study
evaluate a new program
evaluation
-ˌval-yə-ˈwā-shən How to pronounce evaluate (audio)
noun
evaluative
-ˈval-yə-ˌwāt-iv How to pronounce evaluate (audio)
adjective
evaluator
-ˌwāt-ər How to pronounce evaluate (audio)
noun
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of compunction

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

Did 'orange' the fruit or the color come first?
See More

Popular

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
artwork of illustrated limes with the text limes and smile with an arrow connecting the two words
Quiz: Spot the Anagram! Scramble these words to find new words with the e...
See All