as in guess
an opinion or judgment based on little or no evidence
the many conjectures about the true identity of Jack the Ripper
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 9 Feb. 2026
Since then, 49ers general manager John Lynch has said the conjecture is worth looking into, though the NFL’s chief medical officer has downplayed the possibility that the substation in Santa Clara, California, could pose an injury risk.
—Aria Bendix, NBC news, 5 Feb. 2026
Megan Cartwright, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Nov. 2025
That’s because cutting-edge encryption shrouds information behind mathematical problems (such as factoring enormous numbers) that are conjectured to be unsolvable in any practical amount of time.
—Jack Murtagh, Scientific American, 22 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for conjecture
Noun
Despite much conjecture, the rapper, 33, opted not to take the stage alongside the Puerto Rican superstar, but she was spotted dancing and vibing during Bad Bunny's halftime show performance inside his famous casita, which has become a show staple since his Puerto Rico residency last year.
—Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 9 Feb. 2026
Since then, 49ers general manager John Lynch has said the conjecture is worth looking into, though the NFL’s chief medical officer has downplayed the possibility that the substation in Santa Clara, California, could pose an injury risk.
—Aria Bendix, NBC news, 5 Feb. 2026
Verb
The moment prompted extensive online speculation, with some social media users and commentators conjecturing that his words may have been critical or disrespectful.
—Megan Cartwright, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Nov. 2025
That’s because cutting-edge encryption shrouds information behind mathematical problems (such as factoring enormous numbers) that are conjectured to be unsolvable in any practical amount of time.
—Jack Murtagh, Scientific American, 22 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for conjecture
Recent Examples of Synonyms for conjecture
Noun
-
My guess is that my butter wasn't evenly distributed in the dough.—
Emily Elias,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
4 Mar. 2026
-
Not far from Corsair, Nashville also boasts an absinthe-only bar called … take a guess.—
David Cook,
Southern Living,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Fed officials in their latest economic projections from December estimated just one rate cut for 2026, but investors widely expect Warsh to push for more if he’s confirmed by the Senate to succeed Chair Jerome Powell in May when his term at the helm of the central bank ends.—
Bryan Mena,
CNN Money,
4 Mar. 2026
-
However, how many of them actually come to be inhabited remains a great unknown, with deeper questions — like how many of them turn into technologically advanced civilizations — requiring us to estimate further unknowns atop them.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Minear replies coyly when asked a question that assumes Dixie and Buck went home together.—
Patrick Gomez,
Entertainment Weekly,
6 Mar. 2026
-
The scientific community long assumed that to understand how lightning works, one needed a massive storm cloud.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
At universities, the study of ancient Chinese texts has historically been scattered across disciplines; now, under government direction, universities are trying to gather that scholarship in new classics departments where, one theory goes, ancient truths can be nurtured and passed down.—
Chang Che,
New Yorker,
8 Mar. 2026
-
His panels included doctors, physicists, engineers and others and their reports in 2020 and 2022, proposed a theory of the incidents.—
Will Croxton,
CBS News,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The Dolphins offense, which will be run by Bobby Slowik as offensive coordinator, figures to be one of the more electric, exciting ones with Willis at quarterback, De’Von Achane at running back and Jaylen Waddle as the top wide receiver.—
David Furones,
Sun Sentinel,
9 Mar. 2026
-
Kurtz, who beat out Wilson for the AL's top rookie award, figures to be next in line.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
After all, isn’t your cleanser supposed to remove oil from your face—not add more to the equation?—
Grace McCarty,
Glamour,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Govan watched as the budget ballooned, and what was initially supposed to be a $650 million building became a $720 million albatross.—
Nate Freeman,
Vanity Fair,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The latest print comes after the government overhauled the framework for calculating economic output to improve accuracy.—
Priyanka Salve,
CNBC,
5 Mar. 2026
-
Southern had calculated that the plant would be economical if the price of natural gas rose above $5 per million BTUs (British thermal units).—
Business Columnist,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
As of Thursday, police have not provided updates regarding the person suspected of hitting the officer and if they have been found and arrested.—
Timia Cobb
Breaking News Reporter,
Dallas Morning News,
5 Mar. 2026
-
The state force receives about 70 calls a year for their services, including one to Montana last year to help find a man suspected in the killing of four people at an Anaconda bar.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
5 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Conjecture.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/conjecture. Accessed 11 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
