calculating

[kal-kyuh-ley-ting]

adjective

1. capable of or made for performing calculations, especially arithmetical calculations.

   a calculating machine.

2. shrewd; cautious.

   a wise and calculating lawyer.

3. selfishly scheming.

   a cold and calculating dictator.

   Synonyms: designing

calculating

/ ˈkælkjʊˌleɪtɪŋ /

adjective

1. selfishly scheming

2. shrewd; cautious

Other Word Forms

• calculatingly adverb
• noncalculating adjective
• uncalculating adjective
• uncalculatingly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of calculating¹

First recorded in 1800–10; calculat(e) + -ing ²

Example Sentences

Haver expects the government to rely more than usual on estimates in calculating the consumer price index for October and November.

Read more on Barron's

Crawford was calculating how to further improvise on using her food budget wisely.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

In Washington state, your primary home is not usually a countable asset when calculating financial eligibility for Medicaid, particularly for long-term care.

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Cashiers are having to get used to split-second rounding, sometimes manually calculating transactions until managers can figure out fixes.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Stock sales exceeded stock purchases by $6 billion in the third quarter, he said, while calculating $183 billion in cumulative net sales.

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Related Words

• canny 
• considerate 
• devious 
• manipulative 
• scheming 
• shrewd 
• wily