as in guessed
to form an opinion from little or no evidence
I speculate that someone has been using this cabin as a trysting place
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Recent Examples of speculated
Zaslav has spoken repeatedly about the need for consolidation in the industry, and some observers have speculated that the two halves of WBD, once split in 2026, would seek to be buyers, rather than sellers.
—
Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 11 Sep. 2025
Some board members have questioned whether the contract was the best use of the district’s funds and speculated about the company’s founder’s ties to an advisor to the CMS superintendent.
—Rebecca Noel, Charlotte Observer, 10 Sep. 2025
In 2024, Kennedy speculated that antidepressant use could explain the rise of school shootings, despite a lack of scientific evidence to support such claims.
—Adrianna Rodriguez, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2025
The reasons for the meeting are unclear, though British media outlets have speculated whether Harry and Charles are working on mending their strained relationship.
—Conor Murray, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
In the case of the Smurl family, the patriarch’s deteriorating mental health was speculated as the culprit for what was happening at the house.
—Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 10 Sep. 2025
However, in May 2025, fans speculated Lee and Furlan may have broken up after Falling in Reverse frontman Ronnie Radke claimed on Instagram and TikTok that the actress and comedian was catfished by someone posing as him.
—Ilana Kaplan, PEOPLE, 10 Sep. 2025
More Sabitus/Getty Images Bleacher Report's Kristopher Knox speculated that Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts could be due for a trade at some point this season, and named the Jets as a top potential suitor should Atlanta choose to put him up for bidding.
—Jackson Roberts, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Sep. 2025
Hurt by new export restrictions to China and problems at a major foundry customer, which Bank of America speculated could be Intel .
—Jim Cramer, CNBC, 10 Sep. 2025
Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 11 Sep. 2025
Some board members have questioned whether the contract was the best use of the district’s funds and speculated about the company’s founder’s ties to an advisor to the CMS superintendent.
—Rebecca Noel, Charlotte Observer, 10 Sep. 2025
In 2024, Kennedy speculated that antidepressant use could explain the rise of school shootings, despite a lack of scientific evidence to support such claims.
—Adrianna Rodriguez, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2025
The reasons for the meeting are unclear, though British media outlets have speculated whether Harry and Charles are working on mending their strained relationship.
—Conor Murray, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
In the case of the Smurl family, the patriarch’s deteriorating mental health was speculated as the culprit for what was happening at the house.
—Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 10 Sep. 2025
However, in May 2025, fans speculated Lee and Furlan may have broken up after Falling in Reverse frontman Ronnie Radke claimed on Instagram and TikTok that the actress and comedian was catfished by someone posing as him.
—Ilana Kaplan, PEOPLE, 10 Sep. 2025
More Sabitus/Getty Images Bleacher Report's Kristopher Knox speculated that Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts could be due for a trade at some point this season, and named the Jets as a top potential suitor should Atlanta choose to put him up for bidding.
—Jackson Roberts, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Sep. 2025
Hurt by new export restrictions to China and problems at a major foundry customer, which Bank of America speculated could be Intel .
—Jim Cramer, CNBC, 10 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for speculated
Verb
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Competitive Wordle Score Unlucky for me, the Wordle Bot got massively, inexplicably lucky today and guessed in two.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
31 Aug. 2025
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Many others guessed that the note was the result of the sender being enrolled in a 12-step Alcoholics Anonymous program, specifically referring to step nine, where the person is encouraged to make amends.—
Daniella Gray,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 Aug. 2025
Verb
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In compliance with the restraining order, eight seconds of footage featuring the tape were edited out of the film, and Centro Asturiano management was assured that the producers assumed full liability, per the Tampa Bay Times.—
Madison E. Goldberg,
PEOPLE,
12 Sep. 2025
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The fire is assumed to have been triggered by a lightning strike.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Al-Gameya Al-Shareya was among more than 1,000 civil society groups blacklisted in the crackdown, court filings say, and chapters suspected of helping the Brotherhood during elections were dissolved.—
Hannah Allam,
ProPublica,
10 Sep. 2025
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Miami Gardens Police released images of dogs in the neighborhood suspected to have been involved in the attack.—
Amanda Rosa,
Miami Herald,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The city rejected this newspaper’s request for a copy of the citation, so we’re supposed to take the city’s word about its accuracy.—
The Editorial Board,
Oc Register,
10 Sep. 2025
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During the May interview, Harry made all sorts of incendiary claims, alleging mistreatment by his father and supposed shadowy figures in the royal establishment.—
Martha Ross,
Mercury News,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Shoddy-Mushroom-8456/Shoddy-Mushroom-8456 Others thought Bella could be a Goldador—a popular cross between a golden retriever and a Labrador retriever, combining the traits of both breeds.—
Lydia Patrick,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 Sep. 2025
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When his Steelers were on defense, Rodgers sat on the sideline and thought about how his new wife and friends encouraged him to take his time in the offseason to make what would be the right decision to continue playing.—
Ian O'Connor,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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On the podcast, Allen calmly surmised his time on Earth is numbered, and shot down Maher's suggestion that artificial intelligence might prolong his life.—
Bryan Alexander,
USA Today,
2 Sep. 2025
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Center staff surmised the bird had become entangled in fishing line.—
Jim Higgins,
jsonline.com,
9 Aug. 2025
Verb
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All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.—
Billal Rahman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Sep. 2025
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But some analysts have worried about a disclosure from Nvidia that 44% of revenue from chip sales to data centers is derived from just two customers, presumed to be Microsoft and Meta Platforms.—
John Kell,
Fortune,
3 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Speculated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/speculated. Accessed 13 Sep. 2025.
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