guesswork

noun

guess·​work ˈges-ˌwərk How to pronounce guesswork (audio)
: work performed or results obtained by guess : conjecture

Examples of guesswork in a Sentence

Calculating the drug's long-term effects is pure guesswork.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Don’t worry—we’ve created warm-up and cooldown routines to take out any guesswork! Cindy Kuzma, SELF, 25 Apr. 2025 Volatility drives up costs, turns strategic planning into guesswork and delays investment. María Mendiluce, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025 But even that estimate is inflated with errors and guesswork. Farnaz Fassihi, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2025 But using one of the best razors cuts down on the guesswork—and nicks, redness, and stubble. Annie Blackman, Allure, 27 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for guesswork

Word History

First Known Use

1725, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of guesswork was in 1725

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Cite this Entry

“Guesswork.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/guesswork. Accessed 2 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

guesswork

noun
guess·​work -ˌwərk How to pronounce guesswork (audio)
: work performed or results gotten by guessing

More from Merriam-Webster on guesswork

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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