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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of speculate
The famous couple has been keeping a low profile of late, but that hasn’t kept people from speculating about them.
—
Lissete Lanuza Sáenz, StyleCaster, 15 Apr. 2025
The default parlor game at Coachella is to speculate about who might be a viable headliner in the future; any of these three women could have held down her own day.
—Paul A. Thompson, Pitchfork, 14 Apr. 2025
Some paleontologists had speculated that, since no ankylosaurids bones had been found from that period in North America, the species had disappeared by then.
—Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 14 Apr. 2025
Others speculated that the gate agent may have been influenced improperly.
—Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for speculate
Lissete Lanuza Sáenz, StyleCaster, 15 Apr. 2025
The default parlor game at Coachella is to speculate about who might be a viable headliner in the future; any of these three women could have held down her own day.
—Paul A. Thompson, Pitchfork, 14 Apr. 2025
Some paleontologists had speculated that, since no ankylosaurids bones had been found from that period in North America, the species had disappeared by then.
—Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 14 Apr. 2025
Others speculated that the gate agent may have been influenced improperly.
—Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for speculate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for speculate
Verb
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Wearing a dress with a print that includes white can often leave people guessing.—
Maria Ward,
Vogue,
10 Apr. 2025
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After a clue brought via a time machine (what else?), guesses for Yorkie included Lori Loughlin (Thicke), Kyle Richards (Jeong), and Erika Jayne (McCarthy-Wahlberg).—
Lauren Huff,
EW.com,
10 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Kevin Brazile, in a tentative ruling issued on Thursday, denied CBS’ bid for a court order that would’ve temporarily blocked Sony’s efforts from assuming distribution.—
Winston Cho,
HollywoodReporter,
10 Apr. 2025
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And there’s usually some wiggle room, a premium being paid to reap future opportunities or a discount to assume some risk.—
Evan Clark,
Footwear News,
10 Apr. 2025
Verb
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After all, a true pal should be all about growing and winning together—and there’s no place for an ugly rivalry when you’re supposed to be on the same team.—
Jenna Ryu,
SELF,
10 Apr. 2025
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And what is she supposed to do, take a bullet for them?—
Seija Rankin,
HollywoodReporter,
10 Apr. 2025
Verb
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These tariffs target goods from more than 180 countries and territories, including China, Vietnam, and Thailand. Vendors impacted by the cancellations suspect the move was triggered by the trade dispute.—
Hannah Parry,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Apr. 2025
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Consumers who suspect they were fraudulently enrolled should immediately call their federal or state ACA marketplace, experts say.—
Julie Appleby,
CBS News,
8 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Officially launched at the end of the year, the collection brings Louboutin’s signature design codes to life in eyewear form—think bold architectural lines, sensual curves, and unmistakable touches of red.—
Mecca Pryor,
Essence,
14 Apr. 2025
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Miami Hurricanes football coach Mario Cristobal made clear to anyone who was thinking of trying to pull off a name, image and likeness (NIL) hold out that it would not be tolerated.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
14 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Speculate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/speculate. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.
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