as in to guess
to form an opinion from little or no evidence
I speculate that someone has been using this cabin as a trysting place
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 speculate
The 46-year-old songstress left the stage in Chicago, seemingly to address technical issues, but didn’t return, leaving Monica to finish the show alone and the audience to speculate about the disappearance.
—
Cheryl V. Jackson, IndyStar, 20 Oct. 2025
When the installation process began, passersby began to speculate that the work-in-progress was a waterpark slide or other amusement park feature, Kremers notes.
—Blane Bachelor, AFAR Media, 20 Oct. 2025
After Season 2 debuted, Zendaya speculated about what the follow-up might entail.
—Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 20 Oct. 2025
Lamb speculated the secret buyer was Bill Gates.
—Richard J. Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for speculate
Cheryl V. Jackson, IndyStar, 20 Oct. 2025
When the installation process began, passersby began to speculate that the work-in-progress was a waterpark slide or other amusement park feature, Kremers notes.
—Blane Bachelor, AFAR Media, 20 Oct. 2025
After Season 2 debuted, Zendaya speculated about what the follow-up might entail.
—Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 20 Oct. 2025
Lamb speculated the secret buyer was Bill Gates.
—Richard J. Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for speculate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for speculate
Verb
-
Nelson may have guessed correctly on the president digging his heels into tariffs seven years on from his first term, but the taxes may not be around for much longer.—
Sasha Rogelberg,
Fortune,
23 Oct. 2025
-
Joyspan is for anyone who’s aging, and guess who that is?—
Angela Haupt,
Time,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
All the original Hinas on Kele had to assume Jason was toast if new Hina lost, so why not even the score by losing and taking out an original Uli in Shannon instead?—
Dalton Ross,
Entertainment Weekly,
23 Oct. 2025
-
Jaxon Knopf, Rhys Mulligan, and Nina Barker-Francis will assume the roles of the golden trio (Harry, Ron, and Hermione respectively) beginning in audiobook four and carrying through to the epic conclusion.—
Denise Petski,
Deadline,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The group pledged support for the creatives known as the Hollywood Ten, who were cited for contempt of Congress after refusing to address the House Un-American Activities Committee about supposed communist affiliations.—
Ryan Gajewski,
HollywoodReporter,
27 Oct. 2025
-
You’re not supposed to break hold yet everyone still does it.—
Lynette Rice,
Deadline,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
New Englanders aren’t crazy to suspect that their electric bills increased this year, and winter has yet to arrive.—
Yaël Ossowski,
Boston Herald,
26 Oct. 2025
-
Sigg’s story –– told to CNN and shared here for the first time publicly –– highlights the quandary faced by parents whose children carry out or are suspected of committing high-profile, violent crimes.—
Dakin Andone,
CNN Money,
26 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
And if your gifts are on the heavier side, think homemade treats, books, or candles; flat-rate boxes can be your best friend since the price stays the same no matter how far the package travels.—
Elizabeth Fogarty,
Better Homes & Gardens,
28 Oct. 2025
-
As gutting as that was, the team received uplifting news on each player Monday indicating that neither injury was as serious as initially thought.—
Max Dible,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Speculate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/speculate. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share