as in guessing
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 speculating
Fans have been speculating about who could step up to challenge Dragunov in his first title defense.
—
Fernando Quiles Jr, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025
Liquidation specialists are speculating the refunds will happen and buying the rights to them, offering businesses about 20% of total tariffs paid in exchange for the rights to any future refunds.
—Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2025
On Wednesday, the New York Post started speculating that Ellison may decide to turn his quiet overtures to the Paramount board into a hostile-takeover attempt, something that doesn’t seem out of the realm of possibility.
—Josef Adalian, Vulture, 23 Oct. 2025
Users on social media spent the weekend speculating who might be playing the part, with rumors centering on former late-night host and musical theater actor James Corden.
—Rebecca Cohen, NBC news, 20 Oct. 2025
Due to this lack of fossil evidence, experts have had trouble speculating about the rest of its anatomy.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 16 Oct. 2025
But fans are already speculating that this final chapter may break that rule, as the stakes in the battle for Hawkins have never been higher.
—Eliana Dockterman, Time, 16 Oct. 2025
The announcement comes after a photo showing a group of service members arriving in Illinois went viral on social media, with critics speculating about their fitness.
—Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 14 Oct. 2025
But speculating wisely means going into it with a full understanding of the risks, and the potential effect of a loss on your overall portfolio, Cramer says.
—Ryan Ermey, CNBC, 13 Oct. 2025
Fernando Quiles Jr, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025
Liquidation specialists are speculating the refunds will happen and buying the rights to them, offering businesses about 20% of total tariffs paid in exchange for the rights to any future refunds.
—Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2025
On Wednesday, the New York Post started speculating that Ellison may decide to turn his quiet overtures to the Paramount board into a hostile-takeover attempt, something that doesn’t seem out of the realm of possibility.
—Josef Adalian, Vulture, 23 Oct. 2025
Users on social media spent the weekend speculating who might be playing the part, with rumors centering on former late-night host and musical theater actor James Corden.
—Rebecca Cohen, NBC news, 20 Oct. 2025
Due to this lack of fossil evidence, experts have had trouble speculating about the rest of its anatomy.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 16 Oct. 2025
But fans are already speculating that this final chapter may break that rule, as the stakes in the battle for Hawkins have never been higher.
—Eliana Dockterman, Time, 16 Oct. 2025
The announcement comes after a photo showing a group of service members arriving in Illinois went viral on social media, with critics speculating about their fitness.
—Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 14 Oct. 2025
But speculating wisely means going into it with a full understanding of the risks, and the potential effect of a loss on your overall portfolio, Cramer says.
—Ryan Ermey, CNBC, 13 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for speculating
Verb
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Its quality isn't the horror itself but the ghoulish environment and subtle danger that lies beneath, being a whodunit occult film that never lets up, keeping us guessing on the true nature of the terrors up until the bitter end.—
Michael Lee Simpson,
Entertainment Weekly,
29 Oct. 2025
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There’s Sarah, the determined novice; there’s Zoë, the irreverent, acerbic detective; there’s Joe, the romantic who tries to impress Sarah by guessing things about her from looking at her hands.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
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According to the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, the tariffs would cover roughly two-thirds of the primary deficit impact of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act over five years—or four-fifths over a decade, assuming temporary provisions expire on schedule.—
Jesus Mesa,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Oct. 2025
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Since assuming office in late 2023, Milei has wielded a chainsaw approach to government reform in Argentina.—
John Towfighi,
CNN Money,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Indianapolis police eventually ruled it an accident after initially suspecting Mark Sanchez.—
Kevin Cusick,
Twin Cities,
17 Oct. 2025
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Anyone suspecting exposure is urged to seek medical advice immediately.—
News Editor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Cami eventually gives her baby, a boy, up for adoption, thinking nothing bad will ever happen to him.—
Kaycee Sloan,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
30 Oct. 2025
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The nameplate has all but been a Japanese exclusive since its debut—a limited number were exported to Europe and China during its second generation—but in recent years there have been signs that the company was thinking about broadening its reach.—
Bryan Hood,
Robb Report,
30 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Speculating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/speculating. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
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