miscalculation.

An error in working out a number or judging how a situation will develop.

Use it for

Words that belong together

• serious miscalculation
• strategic miscalculation

On the page

Underestimating public opposition was a serious miscalculation.

Usage notes

Primary category: analysis / argumentation / evidence. Forms: Singular miscalculation; plural miscalculations. Legacy lexical fields mirror sense 1 only. Use numbered sense fields for all meanings. Established modern English lexical item. No separate regional spelling or grammatical inflection entry. Commonness: moderately common.