Synonyms of speculate

speculate

verb

ˈspe-kyə-ˌlāt 

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

• guess
• assume
• suppose
• suspect
• think
• presume
• imagine
• surmise
• believe
• conjecture
• suspicion
• daresay
• infer
• conclude
• expect
• deduce
• gather
• hypothesize
• theorize
• conceive
• reckon
• judge
• hypothecate
• take

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• prove
• establish
• demonstrate
• determine
• learn
• ascertain
• validate
• document
• find out
• substantiate

Synonym Chooser

How is the word speculate different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of speculate are cogitate, deliberate, reason, reflect, and think. While all these words mean "to use one's powers of conception, judgment, or inference," speculate implies reasoning about things theoretical or problematic.

speculated on the fate of the lost explorers

When can cogitate be used instead of speculate?

In some situations, the words cogitate and speculate are roughly equivalent. However, cogitate implies deep or intent thinking.

cogitated on the mysteries of nature

When would deliberate be a good substitute for speculate?

The synonyms deliberate and speculate are sometimes interchangeable, but deliberate suggests slow or careful reasoning before forming an opinion or reaching a conclusion or decision.

the jury deliberated for five hours

Where would reason be a reasonable alternative to speculate?

Although the words reason and speculate have much in common, reason stresses consecutive logical thinking.

able to reason brilliantly in debate

When might reflect be a better fit than speculate?

While the synonyms reflect and speculate are close in meaning, reflect suggests unhurried consideration of something recalled to the mind.

reflecting on fifty years of married life

In what contexts can think take the place of speculate?

The meanings of think and speculate largely overlap; however, think is general and may apply to any mental activity, but used alone often suggests attainment of clear ideas or conclusions.

teaches students how to think

Example Sentences

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

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