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.

After his dismissal, TV critics for the AP and other news organizations speculated that Arnett would never work in television news again.

From Los Angeles Times

Some former classmates are speculating about his mental health and whether he envied Loureiro’s successful career.

From The Wall Street Journal

Marcia finds it “difficult to imagine what her retirement would be like—impossible and rather gruesome to speculate on it.”

From The Wall Street Journal

The powerful men connected to him are named, dissected and speculated about.

From Salon

District Attorney Hochman added that it is too early to say whether any "mental illness" played a role in the crime, and speculated that it could come up at trial.

From BBC

speculate

Example Sentences

Related Words