as in assumes
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 speculates
As for what’s next, Puck speculates that another season 1 writer will be elevated to showrunner if the show is renewed.
—
Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Apr. 2026
Portnoy also speculates that the backlash for the Unwell Winter Games and Sofia Franklyn’s upcoming memoir is adding fuel to the Cooper fire.
—Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 14 Apr. 2026
The octopuses can safely stand still during their hour-long mating process because, Villar speculates, both male and female can be hidden in their respective rocky hideouts.
—Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 2 Apr. 2026
Larson speculates that sports betting has become so popular.
—Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 31 Mar. 2026
If, Algeo speculates, the knife is still in the custody of the Philadelphia Police Department, it could be tested with modern-day forensic technology.
—Annalise Peterson, NBC news, 21 Mar. 2026
The real estate platform speculates that January’s weaker figures were likely due to the severe winter weather, and the company is predicting an upswing as temperatures rise.
—Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 12 Mar. 2026
Perhaps, Mero speculates, someone will change the lock combination, knocking her out of her own creation.
—Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 4 Mar. 2026
In Evanston, a Northwestern University professor speculates that time could be on Iran’s side.
—Claire Murphy, Chicago Tribune, 3 Mar. 2026
Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Apr. 2026
Portnoy also speculates that the backlash for the Unwell Winter Games and Sofia Franklyn’s upcoming memoir is adding fuel to the Cooper fire.
—Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 14 Apr. 2026
The octopuses can safely stand still during their hour-long mating process because, Villar speculates, both male and female can be hidden in their respective rocky hideouts.
—Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 2 Apr. 2026
Larson speculates that sports betting has become so popular.
—Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 31 Mar. 2026
If, Algeo speculates, the knife is still in the custody of the Philadelphia Police Department, it could be tested with modern-day forensic technology.
—Annalise Peterson, NBC news, 21 Mar. 2026
The real estate platform speculates that January’s weaker figures were likely due to the severe winter weather, and the company is predicting an upswing as temperatures rise.
—Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 12 Mar. 2026
Perhaps, Mero speculates, someone will change the lock combination, knocking her out of her own creation.
—Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 4 Mar. 2026
In Evanston, a Northwestern University professor speculates that time could be on Iran’s side.
—Claire Murphy, Chicago Tribune, 3 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for speculates
Verb
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When a single photon is sent through the wall, classical physics assumes that the photon will travel through either of the slits and reach the other side.—
Ameya Paleja,
Interesting Engineering,
23 Apr. 2026
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In the news discovery phase, the agenda-building theory assumes that issues arise in an interplay between media, politics, and society.—
Florian Wintterlin,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Seitz guesses this is what drew Audree in.—
Meena Duerson,
CNN Money,
11 Apr. 2026
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Anyone who guesses the date the snow pile will be fully melted can win a $20 Freedom card, good for a few train rides.—
Joe Brandt,
CBS News,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Leo’s fine, one supposes, as evil plantation owner Calvin Candie, but the role is not a natural fit for him.—
Tim Grierson,
Vulture,
26 Sep. 2025
-
The first theory supposes that the Big Bang produced dense spots that didn’t collapse immediately.—
Quanta Magazine,
Quanta Magazine,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
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One thinks of the citizens of Buffy’s Sunnydale, blithely going about their business, not moving away despite being located on a Hellmouth.—
Television Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Apr. 2026
-
But Diane Swonk, chief economist at KPMG, thinks the Fed should formally change its policy stance.—
Steve Liesman,
CNBC,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
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But that presumes past voting patterns hold in November.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
14 Apr. 2026
-
The message of terrorism speaks to anyone who believes that violence is a natural response to political differences, and who presumes that they may not be seen or heard otherwise.—
Juliette Kayyem,
The Atlantic,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Unsettlingly directed by Donald Cammell, this adaptation of Dean Koontz’s 1973 novel of the same name imagines a smart home years before Nest, Ring, Roomba, and other devices become commonplace.—
Keith Phipps,
Vulture,
23 Apr. 2026
-
In his first feature, Kiluanji Kia Henda imagines the return of Marxism to Angola through public debate, urban interventions and personal stories.—
Emiliano de Pablos,
Variety,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Upon entering the house, Donnie surmises there is an orgy-type party going on.—
Demetrius Patterson,
HollywoodReporter,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Cohen surmises that the home was the first on the block.—
Culture Critic,
San Francisco Chronicle,
17 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The medical team suspects the medication isn't working.—
Will Stone,
NPR,
30 Apr. 2026
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OpenAI suspects that Musk is using the litigation as a delay tactic while his own AI firm, xAI—recently folded into SpaceX—races to catch up to OpenAI’s lead after the launch of ChatGPT in 2022.—
Ashley Belanger,
ArsTechnica,
27 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Speculates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/speculates. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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