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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 speculating
The velocity and scale of products have equated to larger gains and a healthier balance sheet, By 2025, revenues reported by Reuters were estimated in the high eight figures, losses had narrowed, and analysts were speculating on a future deal valuing the business at $700million.
—
Gemma Allen, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026
Armchair sleuths, though, descended on the pod, speculating that the son was covering for his father and digging into his identity.
—Brenna Ehrlich, Rolling Stone, 18 Jan. 2026
The luxury department store conglomerate officially filed for bankruptcy protection late last night, after months of swirling news speculating whether the company would actually falter.
—Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 14 Jan. 2026
In the mid-nineteen-twenties, at the same time that Malinowski was sharing his findings from the Trobriand Islands, a handful of scientists were speculating about the next stage of human evolution and the rise of a global consciousness.
—Sam Knight, New Yorker, 12 Jan. 2026
Unsubstantiated rumors have since spread across social media, speculating on the reason for Ullmark’s absence.
—Ben Church, CNN Money, 9 Jan. 2026
Locals and real estate insiders are speculating about possible changes, including a major redevelopment, but nothing official has been announced.
—Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 8 Jan. 2026
Throughout training camp, and even into the regular season, there were many speculating that the Browns weren’t giving Sanders a fair shot at earning the right to start under center, and fingers started to point at the head coach.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 6 Jan. 2026
Here's what Tisdale French had to say about leaving, what fans are speculating, and how her rep has responded to the situation.
—Allison Degrushe, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Jan. 2026
Gemma Allen, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026
Armchair sleuths, though, descended on the pod, speculating that the son was covering for his father and digging into his identity.
—Brenna Ehrlich, Rolling Stone, 18 Jan. 2026
The luxury department store conglomerate officially filed for bankruptcy protection late last night, after months of swirling news speculating whether the company would actually falter.
—Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 14 Jan. 2026
In the mid-nineteen-twenties, at the same time that Malinowski was sharing his findings from the Trobriand Islands, a handful of scientists were speculating about the next stage of human evolution and the rise of a global consciousness.
—Sam Knight, New Yorker, 12 Jan. 2026
Unsubstantiated rumors have since spread across social media, speculating on the reason for Ullmark’s absence.
—Ben Church, CNN Money, 9 Jan. 2026
Locals and real estate insiders are speculating about possible changes, including a major redevelopment, but nothing official has been announced.
—Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 8 Jan. 2026
Throughout training camp, and even into the regular season, there were many speculating that the Browns weren’t giving Sanders a fair shot at earning the right to start under center, and fingers started to point at the head coach.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 6 Jan. 2026
Here's what Tisdale French had to say about leaving, what fans are speculating, and how her rep has responded to the situation.
—Allison Degrushe, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for speculating
Verb
-
That attracts bigger tickets and more players as the mandatory payout with longer shot winners can equate to a massive payout for those guessing right.—
Danny Brewer,
Forbes.com,
22 Jan. 2026
-
Miss Manners is guessing that the first answer came from the owner of the barbershop.—
Judith Martin,
Sun Sentinel,
19 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
That is, of course, assuming the Warriors continue on their current trajectory of trying to assemble a championship-caliber supporting cast around Curry.—
Bryan Toporek,
Forbes.com,
20 Jan. 2026
-
On March 6, assuming all goes as planned, the artist will release Make-Up Is a Lie.—
Larisha Paul,
Rolling Stone,
20 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
By episode five, Michael had moved on from suspecting Yam Yam to suspecting Colton, who was a ringleader in the previous episode’s banishment of Big Brother fan favorite Tiffany Mitchell.—
Joe Reid,
Vulture,
16 Jan. 2026
-
Coupled with the sight of her parents moving Christmas presents, blankets and their dog into the family car, Goodnight and her younger brother began suspecting the worst.—
Jake Goodrick,
Sacbee.com,
23 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Even supposing the pledges in the 1990s documents amounted to a crime, the legal deadline for bringing mortgage fraud charges has expired.—
Aysha Bagchi,
USA Today,
8 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
The makeup of the roster and the team's second-highest preseason ranking in Wieber's seven seasons has her thinking the group could create a special season.—
Tom Murphy,
Arkansas Online,
10 Jan. 2026
-
As oblivion approached, with all its attendant possibilities of panic or bitterness, Bowie summoned the generosity to evoke the ordeal of one prematurely dying man while also thinking and creating at the no less vast scale of life itself.—
Armin Rosen,
The Washington Examiner,
9 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Speculating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/speculating. Accessed 22 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
