✨📕 The NEWThe NEW Collegiate Dictionary, 12th Edition Over 5,000 words added — Buy Now! Collegiate DictionaryBuy Now!

theorize

verb

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

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
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.
Knowing this, Suigiura theorizes that the pond frogs used in his study may have evolved a double tolerance to both the hornet venom’s pain and toxicity. Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 4 Dec. 2025 Some users theorize that postproduction edits seem to be messed up. Eric Vilas-Boas, Vulture, 2 Dec. 2025 By the thirteenth century, writers like Guillelme d’Auvergne and Pietro d’Abano theorized that a force like magnetism created tides. JSTOR Daily, 1 Dec. 2025 Most importantly for this comparison with Siegelaub, Einstein had understood earlier than anybody in Europe that contemporary culture could not be properly seen or theorized without recourse to non-European forms of cultural production. Benjamin H. D. Buchloh, Artforum, 1 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for theorize

Word History

First Known Use

1644, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of theorize was in 1644

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Theorize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/theorize. Accessed 8 Dec. 2025.

Kids Definition

theorize

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

More from Merriam-Webster on theorize

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!