as in speculating
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 theorizing
Although the countdown disappeared after only a few minutes, Swifties spent weeks dissecting screenshots and theorizing about a possible connection to the upcoming film.
—
Bryan West, USA Today, 5 June 2026
There is, however, a third way—between skepticism and UFO belief, there is plenty of room for theorizing.
—Dani Di Placido, Forbes.com, 22 May 2026
In the decades since, theorizing of the relationship between natural and artificial literature spawned a whole new academic field, generally within English departments.
—Jill Lepore, New Yorker, 18 May 2026
There was no indication of the context of the posts, which racked up millions of views, with many online commenters theorizing the accounts could have been hacked or that an official was cryptically teasing something.
—Dylan Butts, CNBC, 26 Mar. 2026
The University of Minnesota has a theory on how the plant ended up back in the US, too, theorizing that someone from the Massachusetts Agricultural College (MAC, now the University of Massachusetts) brought seeds back from the forests near Sapporo, Japan in 1876.
—New Atlas, 22 Mar. 2026
Not speaking from experience, just theorizing.
—Savannah Salazar, Vulture, 30 Jan. 2026
For viewers who love theorizing, debating strategies, and watching together, the watch party has become a regular gathering spot.
—Holly Alvarado, Oc Register, 28 Jan. 2026
That’s what the media and entertainment sector experienced in 2025, with Warner Bros Discovery shares surging 170% due to investor theorizing about the upside of the company’s acquisition by either Netflix or Paramount.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 31 Dec. 2025
Bryan West, USA Today, 5 June 2026
There is, however, a third way—between skepticism and UFO belief, there is plenty of room for theorizing.
—Dani Di Placido, Forbes.com, 22 May 2026
In the decades since, theorizing of the relationship between natural and artificial literature spawned a whole new academic field, generally within English departments.
—Jill Lepore, New Yorker, 18 May 2026
There was no indication of the context of the posts, which racked up millions of views, with many online commenters theorizing the accounts could have been hacked or that an official was cryptically teasing something.
—Dylan Butts, CNBC, 26 Mar. 2026
The University of Minnesota has a theory on how the plant ended up back in the US, too, theorizing that someone from the Massachusetts Agricultural College (MAC, now the University of Massachusetts) brought seeds back from the forests near Sapporo, Japan in 1876.
—New Atlas, 22 Mar. 2026
Not speaking from experience, just theorizing.
—Savannah Salazar, Vulture, 30 Jan. 2026
For viewers who love theorizing, debating strategies, and watching together, the watch party has become a regular gathering spot.
—Holly Alvarado, Oc Register, 28 Jan. 2026
That’s what the media and entertainment sector experienced in 2025, with Warner Bros Discovery shares surging 170% due to investor theorizing about the upside of the company’s acquisition by either Netflix or Paramount.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 31 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for theorizing
speculating
Verb
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Analysts have also been speculating that Nike may put Converse up for sale, although chief executive officer Elliott is bullish in saying that won’t happen.—
Ian Servantes,
Footwear News,
17 June 2026
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Insiders have been speculating for months over who could succeed Turness, with frontrunners said to include Channel 4 News editor Esme Wren and Louisa Compton, Channel 4’s head of news and current affairs.—
Jake Kanter,
Deadline,
17 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Theorizing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/theorizing. Accessed 24 Jun. 2026.
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