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
A number of readers wrote in about the cancellations, speculating about visa issues and the Trump administration’s aggressive immigration policies.
—
Los Angeles Times, 11 July 2025
The Salvation Army has set up shop in Kerrville, the county seat, but one local speculated to me that people in Hunt may be too proud to call on outside resources.
—Rachel Monroe, New Yorker, 11 July 2025
Others speculated that the site would become an experiential business, like the bars, restaurants and mini golf courses around Golden 1 Center that draw foot traffic from Sacramento Kings games.
—Sacbee.com, 10 July 2025
Still, fans are speculating whether the Houston native is entering a new chapter in her love life — or simply enjoying a private getaway with a friend.
—Amber Corrine, VIBE.com, 10 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for speculate
Los Angeles Times, 11 July 2025
The Salvation Army has set up shop in Kerrville, the county seat, but one local speculated to me that people in Hunt may be too proud to call on outside resources.
—Rachel Monroe, New Yorker, 11 July 2025
Others speculated that the site would become an experiential business, like the bars, restaurants and mini golf courses around Golden 1 Center that draw foot traffic from Sacramento Kings games.
—Sacbee.com, 10 July 2025
Still, fans are speculating whether the Houston native is entering a new chapter in her love life — or simply enjoying a private getaway with a friend.
—Amber Corrine, VIBE.com, 10 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for speculate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for speculate
Verb
-
Trying to differentiate the bad from the good, guessing who’s lying or telling the truth, and attempting to solve a true crime thriller are all mental puzzles that are endlessly frustrating yet completely entertaining.—
Paulina Jayne Isaac,
Glamour,
5 July 2025
-
Still, Geragos guessed both of those numbers were far off base.—
Tracy Wright , Larry Fink,
FOXNews.com,
4 July 2025
Verb
-
President Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act – assuming the version Senate Republicans passed on Tuesday becomes law–would cut the legs out from under the renewable energy industry.—
Christopher Helman,
Forbes.com,
2 July 2025
-
So in those circumstances the viewer would, of course, assume that that was that real person’s genitals.—
Alex Ritman,
Variety,
1 July 2025
Verb
-
However, the two have faced complications during what’s supposed to be a pretty easy process, leading them to believe the source of the problems is King Charles.—
Lissete Lanuza Sáenz,
StyleCaster,
4 July 2025
-
Her answer was presumably supposed to justify her vote.—
Bill Goodykoontz,
AZCentral.com,
3 July 2025
Verb
-
Roley, who was found dead near the scene after appearing to have shot himself, is suspected of lighting the brush with a flint fire starter before ambushing the firefighting crew in a mountainous area of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.—
David Zimmermann,
The Washington Examiner,
1 July 2025
-
The facets of the world, Sharon suspected, revealed themselves to people at different times.—
Zadie Smith,
New Yorker,
30 June 2025
Verb
-
In dialogue with feminist visual traditions—think Jo Spence and Ana Mendieta—Brontē’s project carves its own terrain.—
Alessia Glaviano,
Vogue,
7 July 2025
-
Lucy Blakiston used to think working in media meant living a glitzy life wearing kitten heels, getting her nails done and working from chic offices.—
Jennifer Liu,
CNBC,
7 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Speculate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/speculate. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share