surmise 1 of 2

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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surmise

2 of 2

verb

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
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 Instead, Rodrigues and Ohlrogge surmise, the glut of retail investors are probably not showing up for the vote. Scott Nover, Quartz, 7 Sep. 2022
Verb
A number of viewers surmised that the star was alluding to her own political beliefs being at odds with the majority in Hollywood, which has traditionally been seen as being the base of Democrat-leaning celebrities. Aron Solomon, Newsweek, 9 Dec. 2024 After plotting their motions, Galileo correctly surmised that the quartet were not distant background stars but Jupiter’s most noteworthy lunar companions. Nadia Drake, Scientific American, 14 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for surmise 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for surmise
Noun
  • Today’s average difficulty is 3.6 guesses out of 6, or easy breezy.
    New York Times Games, New York Times, 17 Jan. 2025
  • Goldman is their choice if bigger deals make a return, and their guess is deals broadly will intensify towards the fourth quarter of this year.
    Kelly Evans, CNBC, 17 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • When Trump assumed office in 2017, just over 542,000 cases were pending.
    Andrea Castillo, Los Angeles Times, 17 Jan. 2025
  • Since assuming office in 2014, Modi has redefined governance in India by leveraging technology to drive inclusivity and efficiency.
    Shashi Shekhar Vempati, Baltimore Sun, 17 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • The buzz of an overachieving team that wasn’t supposed to be here was palpable.
    Colton Pouncy, The Athletic, 19 Jan. 2025
  • With the Rose Parade and Rose Bowl game in the rearview mirror, he’s supposed to be in Sandpoint, Idaho.
    Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 18 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • The messages said the U.S. Border Patrol was conducting an indiscriminate dragnet in the area, pulling over vehicles presumed to be carrying immigrants to work and taking dozens into custody.
    Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 22 Jan. 2025
  • The Chicago Cubs traded away presumed starting third baseman Isaac Paredes to acquire Kyle Tucker.
    Sahadev Sharma, The Athletic, 19 Jan. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Surmise.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/surmise. Accessed 31 Jan. 2025.

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