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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Recent Examples of speculates
Portnoy also speculates that the backlash for the Unwell Winter Games and Sofia Franklyn’s upcoming memoir is adding fuel to the Cooper fire.
—
Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 14 Apr. 2026
The octopuses can safely stand still during their hour-long mating process because, Villar speculates, both male and female can be hidden in their respective rocky hideouts.
—Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 2 Apr. 2026
Larson speculates that sports betting has become so popular.
—Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 31 Mar. 2026
If, Algeo speculates, the knife is still in the custody of the Philadelphia Police Department, it could be tested with modern-day forensic technology.
—Annalise Peterson, NBC news, 21 Mar. 2026
The real estate platform speculates that January’s weaker figures were likely due to the severe winter weather, and the company is predicting an upswing as temperatures rise.
—Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 12 Mar. 2026
Perhaps, Mero speculates, someone will change the lock combination, knocking her out of her own creation.
—Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 4 Mar. 2026
In Evanston, a Northwestern University professor speculates that time could be on Iran’s side.
—Claire Murphy, Chicago Tribune, 3 Mar. 2026
Another camp speculates that these forebears met human nomads on the trail of big game and started traveling with them, eventually arriving in China via Mongolia through their supporting role as war dogs.
—Andrew Norman Wilson, Harpers Magazine, 24 Feb. 2026
Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 14 Apr. 2026
The octopuses can safely stand still during their hour-long mating process because, Villar speculates, both male and female can be hidden in their respective rocky hideouts.
—Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 2 Apr. 2026
Larson speculates that sports betting has become so popular.
—Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 31 Mar. 2026
If, Algeo speculates, the knife is still in the custody of the Philadelphia Police Department, it could be tested with modern-day forensic technology.
—Annalise Peterson, NBC news, 21 Mar. 2026
The real estate platform speculates that January’s weaker figures were likely due to the severe winter weather, and the company is predicting an upswing as temperatures rise.
—Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 12 Mar. 2026
Perhaps, Mero speculates, someone will change the lock combination, knocking her out of her own creation.
—Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 4 Mar. 2026
In Evanston, a Northwestern University professor speculates that time could be on Iran’s side.
—Claire Murphy, Chicago Tribune, 3 Mar. 2026
Another camp speculates that these forebears met human nomads on the trail of big game and started traveling with them, eventually arriving in China via Mongolia through their supporting role as war dogs.
—Andrew Norman Wilson, Harpers Magazine, 24 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for speculates
Verb
-
Chilli, who assumes that her daughter wants to play out a happier ending, announces that the bird has survived.—
Jean Garnett,
New Yorker,
18 Apr. 2026
-
That assumes, of course, that Moreno opts to sell.—
Bill Shaikin,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Seitz guesses this is what drew Audree in.—
Meena Duerson,
CNN Money,
11 Apr. 2026
-
Anyone who guesses the date the snow pile will be fully melted can win a $20 Freedom card, good for a few train rides.—
Joe Brandt,
CBS News,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Leo’s fine, one supposes, as evil plantation owner Calvin Candie, but the role is not a natural fit for him.—
Tim Grierson,
Vulture,
26 Sep. 2025
-
The first theory supposes that the Big Bang produced dense spots that didn’t collapse immediately.—
Quanta Magazine,
Quanta Magazine,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Lynch thinks the lack of star power will force more trades during the draft.—
Vic Tafur,
New York Times,
21 Apr. 2026
-
Berkus shared of Poppy's wise words on how the world thinks a girl should be.—
Natalia Senanayake,
PEOPLE,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The message of terrorism speaks to anyone who believes that violence is a natural response to political differences, and who presumes that they may not be seen or heard otherwise.—
Juliette Kayyem,
The Atlantic,
10 Mar. 2026
-
The early investigation presumes that the victim had been a pedestrian.—
Patrick Damp,
CBS News,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Aquarius Neptune in Aquarius imagines the future.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Weed imagines the home’s spirit as a 19th-century woman in a long dress—and not a particularly happy one.—
Katie Schultz,
Architectural Digest,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Upon entering the house, Donnie surmises there is an orgy-type party going on.—
Demetrius Patterson,
HollywoodReporter,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Cohen surmises that the home was the first on the block.—
Culture Critic,
San Francisco Chronicle,
17 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Citi said about 90% of its overhaul is complete, and Mayo suspects more upside will come as it is completed.—
Liz Napolitano,
CNBC,
15 Apr. 2026
-
As a secret organization called Metronome declares war to eliminate them, an agent named Lema suspects a hidden truth and launches an investigation to find the real enemy.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
13 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Speculates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/speculates. Accessed 22 Apr. 2026.
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