as in to speculate
to think of or suggest ideas about what is possibly true or real; to form or suggest a theory about something
Many scientists have theorized about the possibility of life on other planets.
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
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 theorize
The researchers theorized that social relationships broke down under multiple pressures.
—
Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 Apr. 2026
But fans began to theorize that FIFA had blocked them off for corporate partners, VIPs, hospitality or last-minute sales.
—Henry Bushnell, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2026
The earliest Greek philosophers focused their attention upon the origin and nature of the physical world; later philosophers have theorized about the nature of knowledge, truth, good and evil, love, friendship, and much more.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Apr. 2026
The Kreutz group is named for Heinrich Kreutz, a German astronomer who determined that several notable nineteenth-century comets traveled in similar orbits and were fragments of a large comet that broke apart (perhaps around the time of the last ice age, it has since been theorized).
—Tony Hoffman, PC Magazine, 2 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for theorize
Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 Apr. 2026
But fans began to theorize that FIFA had blocked them off for corporate partners, VIPs, hospitality or last-minute sales.
—Henry Bushnell, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2026
The earliest Greek philosophers focused their attention upon the origin and nature of the physical world; later philosophers have theorized about the nature of knowledge, truth, good and evil, love, friendship, and much more.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Apr. 2026
The Kreutz group is named for Heinrich Kreutz, a German astronomer who determined that several notable nineteenth-century comets traveled in similar orbits and were fragments of a large comet that broke apart (perhaps around the time of the last ice age, it has since been theorized).
—Tony Hoffman, PC Magazine, 2 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for theorize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for theorize
speculate
Verb
-
The search for the Martin family was a national news story at the time and led some to speculate about the possibility of foul play, with a $1,000 reward offered for information.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
17 Apr. 2026
-
Social media users speculated that the tour’s cancellation was due to low ticket sales, with Ticketmaster seating charts in some stadiums showing very few seats sold.—
Katie Simons,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Theorize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/theorize. Accessed 23 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
