Definition of surmisenext
as in guess
an opinion or judgment based on little or no evidence my surmise is that the couple's "good news" is the announcement that they are going to have a baby

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 surmise
Noun
One surmise is that the syndrome is caused by residual viral debris that continues to activate and/or exhaust the immune system. — Melissa Healystaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 13 Dec. 2022 Instead, Rodrigues and Ohlrogge surmise, the glut of retail investors are probably not showing up for the vote. — Scott Nover, Quartz, 7 Sep. 2022
Verb
One person surmised that Patrick Mahomes also has an unlimited amount of his favorite condiment. — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 24 Aug. 2026 Many Spaniards lived or even committed atrocities in the Civil War, suffering a collective guilt, Ruiz Capillas surmises. — John Hopewell, Variety, 12 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for surmise
Recent Examples of Synonyms for surmise
Noun
  • Evans will have to compete with wide receiver Deebo Samuel, tight end George Kittle and running back Christian McCaffrey for yards, but the guess here is he’ll be targeted early and often.
    — Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 18 Sep. 2026
  • Let’s take a guess at probabilities for Sunday’s starter, because math is (sometimes) fun.
    — Daniel Flick, AJC.com, 17 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • The organization cannot assume the same roster will suddenly produce a different result, especially after enduring a franchise-record losing streak.
    — Brandon Liguori, Miami Herald, 27 Sep. 2026
  • Strycova won three titles with Czechia as a player before assuming the captaincy this year.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 27 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Over the past two months, companies including OpenAI and Anthropic disclosed multiple incidents in which their AI agents accessed the internet when they weren't supposed to and carried out unapproved activities.
    — Katie McQue, NPR, 26 Sep. 2026
  • On top of that, an additional system that was automatically supposed to stop training runs once misaligned behavior was detected had failed.
    — Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 26 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • But don’t presume that since this isn’t a three-hour omakase experience that any corners have been cut.
    — Todd Plummer, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Sep. 2026
  • The three members invited more than 30 guests and at some point there were approximately more than 600 people outside Maison Estelle, where someone is presumed to have fainted.
    — Hikmat Mohammed, ARTnews.com, 24 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Surmise.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/surmise. Accessed 28 Sep. 2026.

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