as in speculating
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 theorizing
Dodds and the late Donnie Duncan, then Oklahoma’s athletic director, often discussed television happenings in the sport and began theorizing a different path.
—
Sam Khan Jr,
New York Times,
1 July 2026
Although the countdown disappeared after only a few minutes, Swifties spent weeks dissecting screenshots and theorizing about a possible connection to the upcoming film.
—
Bryan West,
USA Today,
5 June 2026
There is, however, a third way—between skepticism and UFO belief, there is plenty of room for theorizing.
—
Dani Di Placido,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2026
In the decades since, theorizing of the relationship between natural and artificial literature spawned a whole new academic field, generally within English departments.
—
Jill Lepore,
New Yorker,
18 May 2026
There was no indication of the context of the posts, which racked up millions of views, with many online commenters theorizing the accounts could have been hacked or that an official was cryptically teasing something.
—
Dylan Butts,
CNBC,
26 Mar. 2026
The University of Minnesota has a theory on how the plant ended up back in the US, too, theorizing that someone from the Massachusetts Agricultural College (MAC, now the University of Massachusetts) brought seeds back from the forests near Sapporo, Japan in 1876.
—
New Atlas,
22 Mar. 2026
Not speaking from experience, just theorizing.
—
Savannah Salazar,
Vulture,
30 Jan. 2026
For viewers who love theorizing, debating strategies, and watching together, the watch party has become a regular gathering spot.
—
Holly Alvarado,
Oc Register,
28 Jan. 2026
Sam Khan Jr,
New York Times,
1 July 2026
Although the countdown disappeared after only a few minutes, Swifties spent weeks dissecting screenshots and theorizing about a possible connection to the upcoming film.
—
Bryan West,
USA Today,
5 June 2026
There is, however, a third way—between skepticism and UFO belief, there is plenty of room for theorizing.
—
Dani Di Placido,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2026
In the decades since, theorizing of the relationship between natural and artificial literature spawned a whole new academic field, generally within English departments.
—
Jill Lepore,
New Yorker,
18 May 2026
There was no indication of the context of the posts, which racked up millions of views, with many online commenters theorizing the accounts could have been hacked or that an official was cryptically teasing something.
—
Dylan Butts,
CNBC,
26 Mar. 2026
The University of Minnesota has a theory on how the plant ended up back in the US, too, theorizing that someone from the Massachusetts Agricultural College (MAC, now the University of Massachusetts) brought seeds back from the forests near Sapporo, Japan in 1876.
—
New Atlas,
22 Mar. 2026
Not speaking from experience, just theorizing.
—
Savannah Salazar,
Vulture,
30 Jan. 2026
For viewers who love theorizing, debating strategies, and watching together, the watch party has become a regular gathering spot.
—
Holly Alvarado,
Oc Register,
28 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for theorizing
speculating
Verb
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Though some of the stories focused on their enviable style, much of it was devoted to speculating about their appearance and mental health.
-
These markets allow participants to take positions speculating on future events in ways that can resemble trading on privileged information rather than public analysis.
Cite this Entry
“Theorizing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/theorizing. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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