as in guessed
to form an opinion from little or no evidence
I speculate that someone has been using this cabin as a trysting place
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Recent Examples of speculated
Many speculated online that the performances were pre-taped (USA TODAY reached out to TPUSA for comment and did not receive a response).
—
James Powel, USA Today, 9 Feb. 2026
Some viewers speculated that the young boy was in fact Liam Ramos, whose recent detention and subsequent release by Immigration and Customs Enforcement became the subject of national scrutiny.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 9 Feb. 2026
The authors speculated that the changes, which lasted for another four weeks after the individuals stopped playing, were partly due to the three-dimensional environment of Super Mario.
—Amanda Gardner, Martha Stewart, 8 Feb. 2026
It was speculated that a pair of wins — first in Salt Lake City against the Utes, then in Provo against the Cougars — just might energize a KU unit off to a 17-7 start (8-5 in Big 12 play) at the time.
—Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 6 Feb. 2026
It’s speculated that a runaway greenhouse effect took place on Venus long ago, leading to its dense, thick, hot atmosphere, dominated by carbon dioxide and sulfuric acid clouds.
—Big Think, 5 Feb. 2026
Investigators speculated the officers may have fallen asleep.
—Daniel Ruetenik, CBS News, 5 Feb. 2026
The women then speculated about how the public would interpret the song’s inclusion in the film.
—Safiyah Riddle, Fortune, 23 Jan. 2026
Instead of staying focused on policy, Patel said, the discussion veered into personal attacks after commenters singled her out as an immigrant and speculated about her religion.
—Nora O'Neill, Charlotte Observer, 23 Jan. 2026
James Powel, USA Today, 9 Feb. 2026
Some viewers speculated that the young boy was in fact Liam Ramos, whose recent detention and subsequent release by Immigration and Customs Enforcement became the subject of national scrutiny.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 9 Feb. 2026
The authors speculated that the changes, which lasted for another four weeks after the individuals stopped playing, were partly due to the three-dimensional environment of Super Mario.
—Amanda Gardner, Martha Stewart, 8 Feb. 2026
It was speculated that a pair of wins — first in Salt Lake City against the Utes, then in Provo against the Cougars — just might energize a KU unit off to a 17-7 start (8-5 in Big 12 play) at the time.
—Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 6 Feb. 2026
It’s speculated that a runaway greenhouse effect took place on Venus long ago, leading to its dense, thick, hot atmosphere, dominated by carbon dioxide and sulfuric acid clouds.
—Big Think, 5 Feb. 2026
Investigators speculated the officers may have fallen asleep.
—Daniel Ruetenik, CBS News, 5 Feb. 2026
The women then speculated about how the public would interpret the song’s inclusion in the film.
—Safiyah Riddle, Fortune, 23 Jan. 2026
Instead of staying focused on policy, Patel said, the discussion veered into personal attacks after commenters singled her out as an immigrant and speculated about her religion.
—Nora O'Neill, Charlotte Observer, 23 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for speculated
Verb
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Judging from Tutto Mare’s debut, David guessed right.—
Rebecca Kleinman,
Footwear News,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Before Calla Lily's identity was revealed, Robin Thicke guessed Danielle Fishel, Rita Ora picked Selma Blair and Ken Jeong guessed Christina Applegate.—
Bebe Hodges,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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My favourite spot, though, might well have been Paradiso, the see-and-be-seen après-ski spot lodged into the side of a mountain in the Corviglia ski area, some 6,000 feet up, for which Badrutt’s assumed management in early 2022.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 Feb. 2026
-
There are some issues with properties that residents who moved to Portage in the last 15 years or so assumed always flooded, but many of those problems were caused by the city using slag sand when salt supplies were low to address ice on streets.—
Doug Ross,
Chicago Tribune,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Alcohol is suspected to be a factor in the crash.—
Lauren Penington,
Denver Post,
8 Feb. 2026
-
Police said Morgan was suspected of driving under the influence.—
Jason Green,
Mercury News,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
You’re supposed to help each other.—
Josh Yohe,
New York Times,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Just have a good time and do what you’re supposed to do, uniting the world around something that is eternal.—
Ryan Gaydos , Larry Fink,
FOXNews.com,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Lindsey showed that people can do it a lot longer than anybody thought.—
Sean Gregory,
Time,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Experts tell Flow Space that weight and BMI alone are not as strong indicators of health as once thought.—
Alexa Mikhail,
Flow Space,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Florida Republican Party Chairman Evan Power has surmised that the party could pick up three to five seats with redrawn lines, which would be expected to mostly impact Tampa, Orlando and South Florida districts.—
Jim Turner,
Miami Herald,
5 Feb. 2026
-
In 1991, Cabrera surmised David was David LaMarr.—
Graham Womack
Updated January 15,
Sacbee.com,
16 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
She is presumed innocent but faces a long legal fight, and resignation is likely to be a key component of any plea deal.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
4 Feb. 2026
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Huerter’s age didn’t fit the Bulls’ presumed timeline, as the team has looked to acquire younger players and assets.—
David Aldridge,
New York Times,
3 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Speculated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/speculated. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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