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.
This shift has rendered guesswork obsolete, making DDDM an essential tool for tackling the multifaceted demands of contemporary property management. Johan Hajji, Forbes.com, 6 May 2025 This virtual sommelier intends to take the guesswork—and the gamble—out of ordering wine. Air Mail, 3 May 2025 Luckily, the right real estate agent can take the guesswork out of the process and help make the transition into your new space seamless. Caitlin Sole, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 May 2025 So, for now, the only way to peer inside neutron stars is with math and a heavy dose of guesswork. Paul Sutter, Space.com, 28 Apr. 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 21 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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