SPECULATES Synonyms: 34 Similar and Opposite Words

speculates

verb

present tense third-person singular of speculate

as in assumes

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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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 speculates The team speculates that’s likely where the flies fall back on simpler reflexes. — Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 1 Aug. 2026 Perhaps the closest analogue, Köhler speculates, are wellness retreats. — Veronique Greenwood, Time, 9 July 2026 In the 2021 edition of the novel published by Ediciones Uniandes, Carolina Alzate speculates that this could be referring to a town near Natagaima, currently in Tolima. — Literary Hub, 1 July 2026 Sandoval then speculates that Victoria, who was sitting in a nearby chair, was recording the dispute. — Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 26 June 2026 Then there’s the design of work question, Sen speculates. — Joe McKendrick, Forbes.com, 26 June 2026 The feds did not specify the exact reason for the order, but Anthropic speculates that the directive may be related to a potential jailbreaking method for Fable 5. — Will McCurdy, PC Magazine, 13 June 2026 Since glaciers didn’t flow right into Salisbury, the study speculates the stone, thought to have served as an altar, was deposited hundreds of miles east, beneath what is now the North Sea. — Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 4 June 2026 O’Farrell speculates, reasonably, that Hamnet may have been a victim of bubonic plague, and her book centers on the family’s grief in the aftermath of his death. — Katy Waldman, New Yorker, 1 June 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for speculates

Verb

The board last week passed a budget plan that assumes the $150 million will be coming and relies upon it, despite no promise from Springfield that it can be covered.

— Lauren Victory, CBS News, 5 Aug. 2026
The Defense Department said in its estimate the cost assumes there will be an average of 2,500 National Guard members in Washington through January 2029.

— ABC News, ABC News, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of assumes

Verb

In addition to being a fun interactive guessing game, the company said the cookie lover who guesses the flavor correctly will win a $25,000 grand prize.

— Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 31 July 2026
When a student misses twice, guesses rapidly, or reveals a misconception, StarSpark can interrupt the assignment, teach the relevant concept, provide additional practice, and then return the student to the original question.

— Ray Ravaglia, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026

Definition of guesses

Verb

The second time, Ghaida thinks the Israelis may have made a mistake.

— Ava Bambuck, CNN Money, 6 Aug. 2026
The other side thinks that landing an elite star that was recently the Best Player at the World Cup is a no brainer, with the chance to twist the knife into Real Madrid also too good to pass up.

— Tom Sanderson, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of thinks

Verb

Businesses need to make investments in automated containment, behavior-centric detection, and ongoing validation that presumes attackers will act independently.

— Chuck Brooks, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026
One presumes that this parent is also constantly looking at her phone.

— Jessica Winter, New Yorker, 16 July 2026

Definition of presumes

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
Anyone who suspects human trafficking can contact Florida’s trafficking hotline at 1-855-FLA-SAFE.

— Eric Weiss, Sun Sentinel, 3 Aug. 2026