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conjecture 1 of 2

noun

kən-ˈjek-chər How to pronounce conjecture (audio)
Definition of conjecturenext
as in guess
an opinion or judgment based on little or no evidence the many conjectures about the true identity of Jack the Ripper

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conjecture

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to estimate
to decide the size, amount, number, or distance of (something) without actual measurement he conjectured that the theater could seat 1000 people more or less

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to guess
to form an opinion from little or no evidence you're only conjecturing that he was the culprit

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of conjecture
Noun
The discovery matched a conjecture that Erdős and Szekeres had put forth as young men. — Jack Murtagh, Scientific American, 10 Aug. 2026 Some of the conjecture stemmed from photos of the Black teen, Nolan Wells, surrounded by White friends while on a Fourth of July trip to Horn Island, a popular holiday destination off the Mississippi coast. — Alisha Ebrahimji, CNN Money, 8 Aug. 2026
Verb
Suspicion fell on Shiite families, though many dismissed these conjectures; in Ain el-Mreisseh, people know their neighbors. — Rania Abouzeid, New Yorker, 21 May 2026 Or, in some cases with Goodman, might lie within the realm of fantasy, delusion, and conjecture? — Literary Hub, 13 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for conjecture
Recent Examples of Synonyms for conjecture
  1. guess
  2. estimate
  3. assume
  4. theory
  5. figure
  6. suppose
  7. calculate
  8. suspect
Noun
  • How Chrissie Hynde wound up being that kind of songwriter is anyone’s guess.
    — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 14 Sep. 2026
  • The band worked up the new version while masked around a studio coffee table, and Buller sang a scratch vocal in the band’s best guess at Parton’s key.
    — Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of guess
Verb
  • Stegra estimates that removing coal from the process can cut emissions by up to 95% compared to traditional blast furnace manufacturing.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 18 Sep. 2026
  • Brunate estimated that footwear trade shows around the world charge an average of 300 euros to 450 euros per square meter, which would be about $32 to $48 per square foot.
    — Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of estimate
Verb
  • On the other hand, some royal enthusiasts believe Meghan won’t be as reckless as people assume.
    — Allison DeGrushe, StyleCaster, 5 Sep. 2026
  • Rather than assuming one is more affordable or comprehensive than the other, compare the specific coverages, exclusions, deductibles, premiums and repair-shop requirements between any two plans.
    — Brian Sloan, CNBC, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of assume
Noun
  • One of my favorite moments comes when an excited classmate emerges from the library holding a new book of feminist literary theory.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 17 Sep. 2026
  • Annie Dillard, the author of Pilgrim at Tinker Creek, Holy the Firm, An American Childhood, and many other major works of fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and theory, died at the age of 81 on September 15 at her home in Massachusetts.
    — Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of theory
Verb
  • On average, a Costco shopper makes 31 trips annually, spending $99 per visit for a total annual outlay of $3,043 – figures that comfortably eclipse competitors like Sam’s Club and BJ’s, Numerator said.
    — Jessica Guynn, USA Today, 16 Sep. 2026
  • Their wide receiver group Sunday figures to include Bateman, Walker, return specialist LaJohntay Wester, Moore and Sarratt.
    — Jeff Zrebiec, New York Times, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of figure
Verb
  • How was he supposed to cope with the physicality of English football?
    — Amitai Winehouse, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
  • With the Television Academy having declared their intent to turn the Emmy Awards into a more cohesive entity, the ceremony once known as the Creative Arts Emmy Awards is now just supposed to be called The Emmys.
    — Joe Reid, Vulture, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of suppose
Verb
  • Interestingly, the platform mimics the way biological brains calculate using physical movement.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 16 Sep. 2026
  • Crypto data group CoinGlass calculated that $571 million was wiped off long positions in the overnight sell-off.
    — Leonie Kidd, CNBC, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of calculate
Verb
  • Authorities have identified the victim and suspect in a recent fatal Rosemont shooting that led to a three-hour standoff with Sheriff’s Deputies.
    — Vince Basada, Sacbee.com, 7 Sep. 2026
  • Police arrest an armed man suspected of lunging at an Ohio gubernatorial candidate.
    — Kayla Hayempour, NBC news, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of suspect

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conjectural
conjecture
conjectured
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Cite this Entry

“Conjecture.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/conjecture. Accessed 19 Sep. 2026.

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