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

The variation is significant enough that guessing isn’t a great strategy.

— Gretchen Wittenmyer-Stone, Kansas City Star, 21 Sep. 2026
And true enough, one fine day earlier in the summer, when the heat had sat on everything, my father had lain down in the farthest meadow with my beautiful mother and there were no prizes for guessing the result.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 21 Sep. 2026

Definition of guessing

Verb

To avoid another situation like this, ESPN should stop assuming our intentions are poor and do a better job keeping sensitive information concealed.

— Bobby Burack OutKick, FOXNews.com, 18 Sep. 2026
Give ‘Gals a big shot in this GOTW-caliber matchup assuming QB Joe Burrow (back) plays as expected.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 17 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

Early on, Liauw’s wife adjusted her diet, suspecting a breast milk allergy.

— Laura Sharman, CNN Money, 9 Sep. 2026
In the r/Solidcore subreddit, one expressed frustration with the fitness studio’s lack of communication after suspecting their ringworm infection came from the Downtown Brooklyn location.

— Alyssa Goldberg, USA Today, 14 July 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

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surmises

surmising

surmount

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“Surmising.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/surmising. Accessed 25 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of surmising

verb

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