surmise 1 of 2

as in guess
an opinion or judgment based on little or no evidence my surmise is that the couple's "good news" is the announcement that they are going to have a baby

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

surmise

2 of 2

verb

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 surmise
Noun
One surmise is that the syndrome is caused by residual viral debris that continues to activate and/or exhaust the immune system. Melissa Healystaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 13 Dec. 2022 Instead, Rodrigues and Ohlrogge surmise, the glut of retail investors are probably not showing up for the vote. Scott Nover, Quartz, 7 Sep. 2022
Verb
The team surmised that because lichen isn't regularly exposed to UVC thanks to Earth's atmosphere, its protective layer evolved as a bonus of its UVA and UVB shielding rather than as an aid to survival. Robert Lea, Space.com, 26 June 2025 Based on their excavation, archaeologists surmise there was no heat source, such as a fireplace, no glass in the windows and no plaster finish, Gary said. Ben Finley, Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for surmise
Recent Examples of Synonyms for surmise
Noun
  • My guess is that flip-flops are now mainstream and considered acceptable.
    Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 30 July 2025
  • Given Siu's prowess with Asian cuisine, my guess is that each of these traditional dishes will exceed my expectations.
    Keith Pandolfi, The Enquirer, 30 July 2025
Verb
  • Season 1 ended on a cliffhanger, with Brown’s character flying to Atlanta to find his wife, who was previously assumed dead.
    Giana Levy, Variety, 28 July 2025
  • In Washington, it had long been assumed that Musk and Trump would turn on each other.
    Franklin Foer, The Atlantic, 28 July 2025
Verb
  • There’s never supposed to be an episode about X political philosophy or X cultural philosophy for the family.
    Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 30 July 2025
  • The rivers are also supposed to represent how the commons area will bring people of different backgrounds together.
    Sofia Joseph, jsonline.com, 30 July 2025
Verb
  • Don’t let pride keep you from a retail or hospitality job (presuming those aren’t in your career path).
    Amy Lindgren, Twin Cities, 19 July 2025
  • It was presumed that the photos were of Eady, who Moore was feuding with at the time.
    Charna Flam, People.com, 14 July 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Surmise.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/surmise. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on surmise

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!