surmise 1 of 2

noun

sər-ˈmīz How to pronounce surmise (audio)
Definition of surmisenext
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

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surmise

2 of 2

verb

sər-ˈmīz How to pronounce surmise (audio)
as in to guess
to form an opinion from little or no evidence we surmised that she had purchased the apple pie since there was a bakery box on the kitchen counter

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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
Instead, Rodrigues and Ohlrogge surmise, the glut of retail investors are probably not showing up for the vote. — Scott Nover, Quartz, 7 Sep. 2022 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
Verb
Darryn Peterson walked down an aisle at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, a camera following his every step, when the national broadcast surmised that he must be ticked. — Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 24 June 2026 Granted, this is the closest to the Force seeming real in the whole film, but a cynical Han Solo could just surmise that Motti was having a panic attack because a seven-foot-tall man in a scary mask is threatening him. — Mike Ryan, IndieWire, 4 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for surmise
Recent Examples of Synonyms for surmise
  1. guess
  2. assume
  3. suppose
  4. presume
Noun
  • Our best guess is that there might be a little bit of recognition for the youngest generations, too, watching all those clips — as in, Holy cow, Austin Powers was real!
    — Chris Willman, Variety, 7 July 2026
  • Who starts opposite him at the other safety spot is anyone’s guess at this point.
    — Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 4 July 2026
Definition of guess
Verb
  • Some Cuba watchers are skeptical Rodríguez Castro could assume a leading role in the official government.
    — Romina Ruiz-Goiriena, USA Today, 6 July 2026
  • Vahidi, who assumed the role after his predecessor Mohammad Pakpour was killed in US-Israeli strikes on the first day of the war, is rarely seen in public.
    — Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 5 July 2026
Definition of assume
Verb
  • There’s supposed to be a different cut of the film that shows Sarah’s face being smashed in by Nikki in the movie’s most shocking moment.
    — Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026
  • The recent military action tested an initial agreement that was supposed to halt hostilities during 60 days of negotiations.
    — Xiaoqian Lin, CNN Money, 29 June 2026
Definition of suppose
Verb
  • Creativity, though, presumes a background in classic technique onto which a personal point of view is added.
    — Laura Clawson, JSTOR Daily, 3 July 2026
  • Although it has not been announced, it is presumed that Dixon will sign with Arrow McLaren beginning with the 2027 season.
    — Bruce Martin, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
Definition of presume

Browse Nearby Words

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Cite this Entry

“Surmise.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/surmise. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of surmise for Spanish Speakers

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