: a thought or idea based on scanty evidence : conjecture
surmised; surmising
Examples of surmise in a Sentence
Noun
my surmise is that the couple's “good news” is the announcement that they are going to have a baby
Verb
We can only surmise what happened.
He must have surmised that I was not interested.
Recent Examples on the Web
Brittany Spanos, Rolling Stone, 28 Feb. 2024
But watching it last night, I was struck with a wild surmise about the characters’ potential origin.
—Vulture, 22 Dec. 2023
David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 9 May 2025
And one director behind a mid-budget action feature is carrying on with a scheduled trip this week scout overseas, surmising the tariffs will either not take effect, or will be done away with by the time his movie arrives in theaters.
—Katie Kilkenny, HollywoodReporter, 7 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for surmise
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Noun
Like the extended music video surmises, Lopez’s search for love in all forms is born out of not feeling loved enough as a child.
—Brittany Spanos, Rolling Stone, 28 Feb. 2024
But watching it last night, I was struck with a wild surmise about the characters’ potential origin.
—Vulture, 22 Dec. 2023
Verb
Not much could be surmised from a brief media viewing portion of half-speed workouts on Friday, but Wease, who is 6-foot-2, impressed with his ability to high-point the football up in the air.
—David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 9 May 2025
And one director behind a mid-budget action feature is carrying on with a scheduled trip this week scout overseas, surmising the tariffs will either not take effect, or will be done away with by the time his movie arrives in theaters.
—Katie Kilkenny, HollywoodReporter, 7 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for surmise
Cite this Entry
“Surmise.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/surmise. Accessed 25 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
surmise
2 of 2 noun
sur·mise
sər-ˈmīz 
ˈsər-ˌmīz
: a thought or idea based on little evidence : conjecture
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