SURMISING Synonyms: 34 Similar and Opposite Words

surmising

verb

present participle of surmise

as in guessing

to form an opinion from little or no evidence we surmised that she had purchased the apple pie since there was a bakery box on the kitchen counter

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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 surmising During this period, this Simpsons episode circulated on social media (with a few digital modifications), with various media outlets surmising that the series had predicted these events. — Dan Snierson, Entertainment Weekly, 16 June 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for surmising

Verb

In another moment sure to keep fans guessing, Neal leaves Joe a note — the contents of which are not revealed to the audience.

— Brianna Zigler, Entertainment Weekly, 22 Sep. 2026
The variation is significant enough that guessing isn’t a great strategy.

— Gretchen Wittenmyer-Stone, Kansas City Star, 21 Sep. 2026

Definition of guessing

Verb

Any brand attempting something similar should ask what its equivalent trust signal is—certification, a guarantee, a verifiable specification—before assuming volume of content alone will move a purchase decision.

— Agung Dwi Sandi, Forbes.com, 25 Sep. 2026
However, the leap from these qualities to assuming, hyperbolically, that AI will become a competitor, even a predatory species ready to eliminate us, is a fantastical step too far.

— Keith Tidman, Baltimore Sun, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of assuming

Verb

More recently, other experts have advised American farmers to go all out growing soybeans, supposing they will be needed by the Chinese or somebody.

— Cynthia Zarin, Harpers Magazine, 4 Aug. 2026
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

Definition of supposing

Verb

From then on, maybe suspecting his daughters of foul play, Andrew kept the doors to his room locked — both the one that opened out into the stairs and the one connecting his room to Lizzie’s.

— Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2026
Early on, Liauw’s wife adjusted her diet, suspecting a breast milk allergy.

— Laura Sharman, CNN Money, 9 Sep. 2026

Definition of suspecting

Verb

Though, that hasn’t stopped fans from speculating about her personal connections.

— Chanel Vargas, InStyle, 17 Sep. 2026
Fans are already speculating that Madonna could be a strong contender at the Grammy Awards next year, particularly in the dance and electronic categories.

— Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of speculating

Browse Nearby Words

surmises

surmising

surmount

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“Surmising.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/surmising. Accessed 2 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of surmising

verb

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