guesswork

noun

guess·​work ˈges-ˌwərk How to pronounce guesswork (audio)
Synonyms of guessworknext
: 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
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Handcrafted in small batches, these blends are designed to take the guesswork out of cooking. Tory Johnson, ABC News, 11 Apr. 2026 This spacious air fry oven features French doors for easy access and visibility, with one-touch presets that take the guesswork out of cooking. Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 9 Apr. 2026 Think of this as your complete walkthrough — no guesswork required. Sacbee.com, 9 Apr. 2026 Robots are helping with dental surgeries in some South Florida dental offices, and a company based in Miami created a new robotic dental assistant that's taking much of the guesswork out of those dental implants. Steve Maugeri, CBS News, 6 Apr. 2026 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 12 Apr. 2026.

Kids Definition

guesswork

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

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