miscalculate

American  

[mis-kal-kyuh-leyt] / mɪsˈkæl kyəˌleɪt /

verb (used with or without object)

miscalculated, miscalculating

1. to calculate or judge incorrectly.

   to miscalculate the time required.

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miscalculate British  

/ ˌmɪsˈkælkjʊˌleɪt /

verb

1. (tr) to calculate wrongly

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Other Word Forms

• miscalculation noun
• miscalculator noun

Etymology

Origin of miscalculate

First recorded in 1690–1700; mis- ¹ + calculate

Explanation

If you add two plus two and get five, you miscalculate. In other words, you've added the numbers incorrectly. You can use the verb miscalculate when you're talking about actual mathematical calculations, or when you measure something in an inexact way and get it wrong. Another way to use the word is to mean "judge incorrectly," which happens when you guess that your grandmother will laugh after sitting on a whoopie cushion, but you guess wrong. Mis, in this word, means "bad or wrong," and calculate means "to compute or estimate."

Example Sentences

But there are a lot of people looking over their shoulder, going, “Wait, did we miscalculate? Are we on the wrong side of things?”

From Slate • May 30, 2025

Every time any actor decides to roll the iron dice of war, there is a significant chance that they are going to miscalculate.

From Salon • Apr. 17, 2024

Hard-headed governments regularly miscalculate the risks of their most provocative acts.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 11, 2023

“If we aren’t crystal clear, there’s a possibility that Beijing could miscalculate and start a war that drags us in.”

From Washington Times • Dec. 6, 2022

I ain’t partial to swords—the time on the reverse is too long if you miscalculate your swing—but it’s better than a couple of rusty gardening blades.

From "Dread Nation" by Justina Ireland

Related Words

• err
• misconstrue
• misinterpret
• misjudge
• misread
• misunderstand
• overestimate
• overrate
• overvalue
• underestimate
• undervalue