theorize

verb

the·​o·​rize ˈthē-ə-ˌrīz How to pronounce theorize (audio)
ˈthir-ˌīz
theorized; theorizing

transitive verb

1
: to form a theory about
2
: to propose as a theory
theorization noun
theorizer noun

Examples of theorize in a Sentence

Many scientists have theorized about the possibility of life on other planets.
Recent Examples on the Web Likewise, Ralls theorized in the 1976 study that larger females may be better mothers—providing good-quality milk, transportation, protection and other care. Will Sullivan, Smithsonian Magazine, 14 Mar. 2024 Some theorized that the image had been generated by artificial intelligence; one viral tweet suggested Middleton’s face was lifted from an old Vogue cover. Reece Rogers, WIRED, 12 Mar. 2024 In the early 1900s, scientists theorized that a hormone was the cause. Carl Zimmer, New York Times, 10 Mar. 2024 Xia and colleagues theorized that the lack of tails in apes likely improved their locomotion. Sam Walters, Discover Magazine, 4 Mar. 2024 While this may seem like a grab bag of unrelated aspects of cognition, Vinod Menon, the director of the Stanford Cognitive & Systems Neuroscience Laboratory, recently theorized that all of these functions may be helpful in constructing an internal narrative. Nora Bradford, WIRED, 3 Mar. 2024 The number of people walking their dogs seemed to have picked up, even as the day got colder; Winslet theorized, without resentment, that maybe word had gotten out. Susan Dominus, New York Times, 3 Mar. 2024 This curiosity seems to defy the teachings of Charles Darwin, who theorized that evolution discards what no longer serves the survival of a species. Robert Pearl, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2024 The late sociologist Erving Goffman used the allegory of the theater to theorize about everyone’s behavior, not just performers. Mankaprr Conteh, Rolling Stone, 24 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'theorize.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1638, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of theorize was in 1638

Dictionary Entries Near theorize

Cite this Entry

“Theorize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/theorize. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

theorize

verb
the·​o·​rize ˈthē-ə-ˌrīz How to pronounce theorize (audio)
theorized; theorizing
: to form a theory : speculate
theorizer noun
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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