as in speculated
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 theorized
Cuddihy and his colleagues theorized that these regular encounters with fire—and their unwanted consequences—would inevitably have a profound effect on any species over tens of thousands of years.
—
Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 5 Feb. 2026
Officials have not theorized about why she may have been snatched, but Nanos appealed directly to any potential abductor while speaking with the media the day after she was reported missing.
—Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 3 Feb. 2026
Mueller theorized the rain actually cut down on the chaos factor that usually runs high in Formula E races.
—David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 31 Jan. 2026
Dyson theorized that the most advanced alien civilizations would have the capacity to harvest the energy from their local star on a massive scale.
—Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 28 Jan. 2026
The authors theorized that because such people don’t feel a strong need to belong, failure might not sting so much, and the opportunity to distinguish themselves might be extra appealing.
—Anna Holmes, The Atlantic, 22 Jan. 2026
Previously, it had been theorized that only heavy seeds would be massive enough to facilitate the rapid growth of supermassive black holes.
—Robert Lea, Space.com, 22 Jan. 2026
The researchers theorized that if bats picked up on the Doppler effect, then the direction that the foliage treadmill was moving in would affect how fast the animals flew.
—Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 20 Jan. 2026
Cabrera theorized those involved in the killing could have hopped a fence and exited through the yard of a connecting property onto a desolate street that runs parallel to the highway.
—Graham Womack
updated January 15, Sacbee.com, 16 Jan. 2026
Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 5 Feb. 2026
Officials have not theorized about why she may have been snatched, but Nanos appealed directly to any potential abductor while speaking with the media the day after she was reported missing.
—Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 3 Feb. 2026
Mueller theorized the rain actually cut down on the chaos factor that usually runs high in Formula E races.
—David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 31 Jan. 2026
Dyson theorized that the most advanced alien civilizations would have the capacity to harvest the energy from their local star on a massive scale.
—Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 28 Jan. 2026
The authors theorized that because such people don’t feel a strong need to belong, failure might not sting so much, and the opportunity to distinguish themselves might be extra appealing.
—Anna Holmes, The Atlantic, 22 Jan. 2026
Previously, it had been theorized that only heavy seeds would be massive enough to facilitate the rapid growth of supermassive black holes.
—Robert Lea, Space.com, 22 Jan. 2026
The researchers theorized that if bats picked up on the Doppler effect, then the direction that the foliage treadmill was moving in would affect how fast the animals flew.
—Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 20 Jan. 2026
Cabrera theorized those involved in the killing could have hopped a fence and exited through the yard of a connecting property onto a desolate street that runs parallel to the highway.
—Graham Womack
updated January 15, Sacbee.com, 16 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for theorized
speculated
Verb
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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
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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
Cite this Entry
“Theorized.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/theorized. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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