as in speculated
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.
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Recent Examples of theorized
And some have theorized that being a carrier for cystic fibrosis can defend against severe cholera, although the evidence for this theory is more scant.
—
Roxanne Khamsi, The Atlantic, 15 Feb. 2026
The study theorized that ticks couldn’t extract enough moisture from the air for extended time under that treshhold.
—Alex Kuffner, The Providence Journal, 14 Feb. 2026
Others have theorized that Heathcliff is Black, pointing to Liverpool’s history as a port city central to Britain’s involvement in the transatlantic slave trade.
—Natasha O'Neill, Vanity Fair, 13 Feb. 2026
In an interview, Alex Kral, a researcher with RTI International focused on drug use epidemiology, theorized that use trends could be partly linked to climate.
—Lev Facher, STAT, 12 Feb. 2026
Like most headliners, Bad Bunny kept details of his halftime performance under wraps ahead of time, though many theorized there would be some kind of political performance.
—CBS News, 8 Feb. 2026
Cuddihy and his colleagues theorized that these regular encounters with fire—and their unwanted consequences—would inevitably have a profound effect on any species over tens of thousands of years.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 5 Feb. 2026
Officials have not theorized about why she may have been snatched, but Nanos appealed directly to any potential abductor while speaking with the media the day after she was reported missing.
—Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 3 Feb. 2026
Mueller theorized the rain actually cut down on the chaos factor that usually runs high in Formula E races.
—David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 31 Jan. 2026
Roxanne Khamsi, The Atlantic, 15 Feb. 2026
The study theorized that ticks couldn’t extract enough moisture from the air for extended time under that treshhold.
—Alex Kuffner, The Providence Journal, 14 Feb. 2026
Others have theorized that Heathcliff is Black, pointing to Liverpool’s history as a port city central to Britain’s involvement in the transatlantic slave trade.
—Natasha O'Neill, Vanity Fair, 13 Feb. 2026
In an interview, Alex Kral, a researcher with RTI International focused on drug use epidemiology, theorized that use trends could be partly linked to climate.
—Lev Facher, STAT, 12 Feb. 2026
Like most headliners, Bad Bunny kept details of his halftime performance under wraps ahead of time, though many theorized there would be some kind of political performance.
—CBS News, 8 Feb. 2026
Cuddihy and his colleagues theorized that these regular encounters with fire—and their unwanted consequences—would inevitably have a profound effect on any species over tens of thousands of years.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 5 Feb. 2026
Officials have not theorized about why she may have been snatched, but Nanos appealed directly to any potential abductor while speaking with the media the day after she was reported missing.
—Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 3 Feb. 2026
Mueller theorized the rain actually cut down on the chaos factor that usually runs high in Formula E races.
—David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 31 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for theorized
speculated
Verb
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Meanwhile, others speculated that the singer’s return may signal something bigger.—
Caché McClay,
USA Today,
16 Feb. 2026
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Experts speculated that dry-lot cows can’t sweat as freely as free-range cows, and that weather and feedlot conditions contributed to deadly heat exhaustion.—
Patt Morrison,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Theorized.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/theorized. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.
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