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 Perhaps, experts speculated, ancient iguanas were more widespread, and the ancestors of the Fiji iguanas died out, making the island species be the odd lizards out. Riley Black, Smithsonian Magazine, 25 June 2025 Ever since, world leaders, markets and Americans have speculated how Iran might respond, with the first action of retaliation seen on June 23 when Iran fired several missiles at the largest U.S. military base in the region just outside of Doha, Qatar. Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 24 June 2025 The researchers speculate that the behavior could be playful. Melissa Hobson, Scientific American, 19 June 2025 The researchers also speculated that self-improvement could be a tool for enhancing AI safety. Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 19 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for speculate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for speculate
Verb
  • Trying to differentiate the bad from the good, guessing who’s lying or telling the truth, and attempting to solve a true crime thriller are all mental puzzles that are endlessly frustrating yet completely entertaining.
    Paulina Jayne Isaac, Glamour, 5 July 2025
  • Still, Geragos guessed both of those numbers were far off base.
    Tracy Wright , Larry Fink, FOXNews.com, 4 July 2025
Verb
  • President Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act – assuming the version Senate Republicans passed on Tuesday becomes law–would cut the legs out from under the renewable energy industry.
    Christopher Helman, Forbes.com, 2 July 2025
  • So in those circumstances the viewer would, of course, assume that that was that real person’s genitals.
    Alex Ritman, Variety, 1 July 2025
Verb
  • However, the two have faced complications during what’s supposed to be a pretty easy process, leading them to believe the source of the problems is King Charles.
    Lissete Lanuza Sáenz, StyleCaster, 4 July 2025
  • Her answer was presumably supposed to justify her vote.
    Bill Goodykoontz, AZCentral.com, 3 July 2025
Verb
  • Roley, who was found dead near the scene after appearing to have shot himself, is suspected of lighting the brush with a flint fire starter before ambushing the firefighting crew in a mountainous area of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.
    David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 1 July 2025
  • The facets of the world, Sharon suspected, revealed themselves to people at different times.
    Zadie Smith, New Yorker, 30 June 2025
Verb
  • In dialogue with feminist visual traditions—think Jo Spence and Ana Mendieta—Brontē’s project carves its own terrain.
    Alessia Glaviano, Vogue, 7 July 2025
  • Lucy Blakiston used to think working in media meant living a glitzy life wearing kitten heels, getting her nails done and working from chic offices.
    Jennifer Liu, CNBC, 7 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Speculate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/speculate. Accessed 10 Jul. 2025.

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