speculate

[spek-yuh-leyt] / ˈspɛk yəˌleɪt /

VERB

think about deeply and theorize

Synonyms

STRONGEST

contemplate figure out guess hypothesize read reflect ruminate surmise weigh wonder

STRONG

brainstorm cerebrate cogitate conjecture consider deliberate excogitate figure guesstimate meditate muse reason review scheme study suppose suspect

WEAK

beat one's brains build castles in air call it call the turn chew over dope out have a hunch hazard a guess head-trip kick around pipe-dream psych out read between lines run it up flagpole size up

Antonyms

STRONGEST

disregard ignore neglect

STRONG

dismiss forget know

WEAK

abstain

VERB

gamble, risk

Synonyms

STRONG

dare hazard play plunge venture

WEAK

make book margin up play the market pour money into spec stick neck out take a chance take a flier take a fling wildcat

Antonyms

WEAK

abstain ignore neglect

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Specialists with the Department of Fish and Wildlife speculate that he may have lost his toes due to umbilical cord strangulation.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026

The stock-market crash led investors to speculate whether poorly designed automatic trading or other market-structure minutiae were to blame for the abrupt selloff.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 15, 2026

“I don’t want to speculate about April or June. But we will be ready to act if needed,” he added.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 11, 2026

"I want to reassure the local community that detectives are working at pace, and we would also urge members of the public not to speculate," he said.

From BBC • Mar. 8, 2026

Pedestrians on the street stopped to study the glow and speculate on what direction it was traveling; people hung out of their windows and communicated what they saw to those on the street.

From "The Great Fire" by Jim Murphy

speculate

Example Sentences

Related Words