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
That has dampened conjecture that Thomas, the oldest justice at 78, might retire before then. — Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 11 July 2026 Following Taylor Swift's engagement announcement in August of 2025, the internet exploded with conjecture on the venue of the popstar's upcoming wedding. — Catherine Messier, The Providence Journal, 3 July 2026
Verb
Or, in some cases with Goodman, might lie within the realm of fantasy, delusion, and conjecture? — Literary Hub, 13 May 2026 Mathematicians are still working out the consequences of the theorem, which was originally conjectured by Louis Mordell in 1922. — Joseph Howlett, Scientific American, 19 Mar. 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
  • Sure enough, the green N meant my fourth guess had to be PENAL.
    — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026
  • There are too many teams that could use a backup quarterback, and my guess is Dalton will have trade value next month.
    — Brooks Kubena, New York Times, 31 July 2026
Definition of guess
Verb
  • The agency estimates about 30% of solo car trips each day could be done by walking, carpool or by some form of public transit.
    — Steve Scauzillo, Daily News, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Governments, business leaders, and economists have tried to estimate which occupations will disappear, which new ones will emerge, and what skills people will need to remain competitive.
    — Dr. Diane Hamilton, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of estimate
Verb
  • Communication Problems Are Shaped By Expectations Most people assume searching a computer screen means looking everywhere.
    — Dr. Diane Hamilton, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2026
  • One of those 12 teams will assume the world championship from West Suburban LL, the 2025 champs who hailed from Johnstown, Penn.
    — Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of assume
Noun
  • Their goal was to test the leading theory, first put forward in the 1980s, that turbulence — the irregular motion of air currents in the atmosphere — caused shadow bands.
    — Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 8 Aug. 2026
  • Zahary emphasized that LLMs, in his experience, have been valuable in assisting humans in developing new theories or finding answers to problems.
    — Joe McKendrick, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of theory
Verb
  • The road woes have been an issue for the Current in 2026, and the team will need to figure it out at some point.
    — Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 5 Aug. 2026
  • Egbuka figures to be the primary target for quarterback Baker Mayfield.
    — Rick Stroud, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of figure
Verb
  • Maybe it’s supposed to end this way — as admirers who became combatants, who bonded as only emperors can, then became close.
    — Marcus Thompson II, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026
  • More recently, other experts have advised American farmers to go all out growing soybeans, supposing they will be needed by the Chinese or somebody.
    — Cynthia Zarin, Harpers Magazine, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of suppose
Verb
  • These superlatives were calculated based on data measured between May 25 and July 12; Nielsen operates on a multi-week delay for streaming titles.
    — Selome Hailu, Variety, 5 Aug. 2026
  • These values are used to calculate how much property taxes residents pay.
    — Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of calculate
Verb
  • Lamming suspects that regular exercise, perhaps by using protein to build strong healthy muscles, helps protect people like athletes from the negative health effects associated with a protein-rich diet.
    — Sara Moniuszko, USA Today, 3 Aug. 2026
  • There is much fun and frivolity at the Witch and Culture Festival, but the event also acknowledges some distressing real-life history that goes along with being (or being suspected of being) a witch in Connecticut.
    — Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of suspect

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Cite this Entry

“Conjecture.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/conjecture. Accessed 9 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on conjecture

Nglish: Translation of conjecture for Spanish Speakers

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