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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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

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
Noun
On its surface, the conjecture concerns the behavior of a particular function. — Quanta Magazine, 19 Oct. 2026 After Jones shined during his first start, the Gators’ quarterback decision will be scrutinized and dissected, fueling two weeks of endless conjecture leading up to the Georgia game. — Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Oct. 2026
Verb
Meanwhile, conjectures about the impact of a deal or non-deal have proliferated. — Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 16 Sep. 2026 Humans propose conjectures, guided by intuition. — Benjamin Skuse, IEEE Spectrum, 25 June 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
  • Other guesses had commenters point to The Substance, The Little Mermaid’s Ursula, SpongeBob, and the Demogorgons from Stranger Things.
    — Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 25 Oct. 2026
  • What lurks over the next ridge or the next nightfall is anyone’s guess.
    — Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of guess
Verb
  • Once merged, customers can subscribe to both DoorDash and Instacart through a single account, which DoorDash estimated will save customers $100 million a year on membership fees.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 29 Oct. 2026
  • Researchers estimated that former NFL players with clear cognitive symptoms were roughly five times more likely to donate their brains than those without such symptoms.
    — Ryan Morik OutKick, FOXNews.com, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of estimate
Verb
  • Figures assume a married, two-earner couple with one child earning $99,999 and are not adjusted for inflation.
    — Martie Bowser, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Walczak’s estimates assume local governments raise tax rates enough to fully replace the lost revenue, based on state property records for every parcel in Florida.
    — Max Klaver, Miami Herald, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of assume
Noun
  • In September 2026 Huang and a few collaborators uploaded a proof that the historic equations represent a single case of a much grander geometrical theory.
    — Lyndie Chiou, Scientific American, 29 Oct. 2026
  • But there are many theories about why people are attracted to true crime, with serial killers being the stars of that world.
    — Rick Kogan, Chicago Tribune, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of theory
Verb
  • But El-Sayed’s medical and public health background is likely to figure prominently if he is elected as a senator from Michigan.
    — Anil Oza, STAT, 28 Oct. 2026
  • There’s a lot left to get back on the right track — especially with the New York Giants figuring things out at the top of the division — but Monday’s result could serve as the launching pad for a run in the next few weeks.
    — Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of figure
Verb
  • Rodríguez was initially supposed to serve only 90 days as acting president, but has remained in office and has made no move to call an election.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 26 Oct. 2026
  • David Moore, who fields the short-field punts precisely because he’s supposed to be sure-handed, muffed one.
    — Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of suppose
Verb
  • The system tracks these changes to calculate muscle length and velocity, enabling the prosthetic controller to direct limb movement.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 29 Oct. 2026
  • The analysis did not separately calculate the administrator’s share of those expenses.
    — Natalie Jones, Baltimore Sun, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of calculate
Verb
  • Kaula suspects a few of his colleagues were trapped in the basement.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Detective’s interview with nurse An Independence police detective interviewed Lawson’s nurse, who worked overnight when the shooting is suspected to have occurred.
    — Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of suspect

Browse Nearby Words

conjectural
conjecture
conjectured
See all Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

“Conjecture.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/conjecture. Accessed 30 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of reticent

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Pwn, Skibidi, Girlboss and Other Words Added to the 2026 Scrabble Dictionary

The Words of the Week - Oct. 30

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
different halloween monsters in silhouette
A Monstrous Vocab Quiz Words That Go Bump in the Night
See All