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 At the same time, Caillier speculates that the rugs are strong enough to stand on their own. — Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 11 Aug. 2026 Interestingly, sales of sunflower butter go up 18%; Instacart speculates that this happens because most schools have a nut-free policy. — Parents, 7 Aug. 2026 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for speculates

Verb

Porter assumes firms are competing within an existing industry.

— Dileep Rao, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
Nunes is supported by new hire Jennipher Miller, who begins her new role as marketing manager, while Samantha Nepsa assumes Nunes’ previous duties with her promotion to senior analyst of data & analytics.

— Jem Aswad, Variety, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of assumes

Verb

Alex Pantling/Getty Images What is clear is that no one thinks the changes enacted in either the Championship or League One are a resolution to the EFL’s marked financial ills.

— Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026
Simplicity and craft are definitely what everyone thinks of when Instagram comes to mind.

— Aurich Lawson, ArsTechnica, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of thinks

Verb

The Hoodoo tradition presumes a belief in a supernatural or spirit world that can be called upon for assistance, often through charms and incantations.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 14 Aug. 2026
The United States’ triumph in the Cold War also helped shape a strategic culture in Washington that presumes setting expansive goals such as nation building and regime change is both possible and desirable.

— Emma Ashford, Foreign Affairs, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of presumes

Verb

Many Spaniards lived or even committed atrocities in the Civil War, suffering a collective guilt, Ruiz Capillas surmises.

— John Hopewell, Variety, 12 Aug. 2026
Evans surmises the fish that survived were in an area of the creek where less charred material and sediment were swept in.

— Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2026