theorize

verb

the·​o·​rize ˈthē-ə-ˌrīz 

ˈthir-ˌīz

theorized; theorizing

intransitive verb

: to form a theory : speculate

transitive verb

1

: to form a theory about

2

: to propose as a theory

theorization

ˌthē-ə-rə-ˈzā-shən 

ˌthir-ə-

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

In the centuries since, some scholars have theorized that powerful relatives and political rivals conspired to have Báthory imprisoned for their own benefit. — Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 25 Sep. 2026

Yet, despite microquasars having been theorized to exist within our galaxy for around three decades, this one has avoided detection because it is blocked by a thick wall of interstellar gas and dust. — Robert Lea, Space.com, 24 Sep. 2026

Kwon theorizes that as the extra tax refunds from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act got spent, retail buyers pulled back. — Jim Edwards, Fortune, 23 Sep. 2026

Mitchell theorized that Marineland wanted to get rid of the whales quickly because the park sits on a tract of land that Animal Justice estimates is worth hundreds of millions of dollars. — Finnegan Belleau, Chicago Tribune, 23 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1644, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for theorize

• advise
• applies
• apprise
• arise
• assize
• baptize
• belies
• bitwise
• capsize
• chastise
• chordwise
• clockwise

Kids Definition

theorize

verb

the·​o·​rize ˈthē-ə-ˌrīz 

theorized; theorizing

: to form a theory : speculate

theorizer noun