Synonym Chooser

How is the word speculate different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of speculate are cogitate, deliberate, reason, reflect, and think. While all these words mean "to use one's powers of conception, judgment, or inference," speculate implies reasoning about things theoretical or problematic.

speculated on the fate of the lost explorers

When can cogitate be used instead of speculate?

In some situations, the words cogitate and speculate are roughly equivalent. However, cogitate implies deep or intent thinking.

cogitated on the mysteries of nature

When would deliberate be a good substitute for speculate?

The synonyms deliberate and speculate are sometimes interchangeable, but deliberate suggests slow or careful reasoning before forming an opinion or reaching a conclusion or decision.

the jury deliberated for five hours

Where would reason be a reasonable alternative to speculate?

Although the words reason and speculate have much in common, reason stresses consecutive logical thinking.

able to reason brilliantly in debate

When might reflect be a better fit than speculate?

While the synonyms reflect and speculate are close in meaning, reflect suggests unhurried consideration of something recalled to the mind.

reflecting on fifty years of married life

In what contexts can think take the place of speculate?

The meanings of think and speculate largely overlap; however, think is general and may apply to any mental activity, but used alone often suggests attainment of clear ideas or conclusions.

teaches students how to think

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 speculate The identity of the guest was not revealed until the episode dropped, and fans had been speculating. Jason Ma, Fortune, 13 Oct. 2025 Throughout their time on YouTube, a portion of their fanbase heavily speculated that the two were secretly dating to the point of invading their privacy. Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 13 Oct. 2025 There are cameos by everyone from Al Smith and William Randolph Hearst to Winston Churchill and Groucho Marx, both of whom speculated heavily in the market and paid the price. John Cassidy, New Yorker, 13 Oct. 2025 Some fans on social media speculated that the pop star’s T-shirt might be a subtle jab at Swift, who frequently visits Kansas City with her fiancé, Travis Kelce. Mitchell Peters, Billboard, 12 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for speculate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for speculate
Verb
  • Frankly, there had been speculation for years, entire Reddit threads guessing about Hemsley’s sexuality.
    Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 17 Oct. 2025
  • Gosh, guess all that talk about Antifa and George Soros money is a myth.
    Sal Pizarro, Mercury News, 16 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • So there’s a risk in assuming that there’s somebody guarding the gates and that the technology will only go so far.
    Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 15 Oct. 2025
  • Likewise, a detailed historical analysis by Nancy Morawetz, Professor of Clinical Law at New York University School of Law, and Natasha Fernández-Silber immigration attorney and researcher, cautions against assuming there is a comprehensive, one-size-fits-all registration system.
    Robert Alexander, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • You’re not supposed to have already mastered every bullet on the job description.
    Vicki Salemi, Boston Herald, 20 Oct. 2025
  • Speaking of unsafe, the walk-in cooler that’s supposed to keep food in cold storage at or under 41 degrees measured 65 degrees.
    David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 20 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • San Diego police arrested a person suspected of stealing a fire engine in south San Diego and driving it up Interstate 5 to Fallbrook Saturday evening, officials said.
    Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Oct. 2025
  • The peculiar requirement is an homage to Emma Stone’s character in the film, who is a bald-headed CEO who ends up kidnapped and suspected of being an alien.
    Andrew McGowan, Variety, 18 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • However, Duan cautions against thinking that AI will replace engineers.
    Ni Tao, Interesting Engineering, 21 Oct. 2025
  • Business leaders and boosters—if not the public library’s archivist—thought rumors and legends and sub-cellars, basements, coal chutes, and other subterranean utility spaces made for a marketable product.
    JSTOR Daily, JSTOR Daily, 20 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Speculate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/speculate. Accessed 22 Oct. 2025.

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