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
Relevance
as in to guess
to form an opinion from little or no evidence
we surmised that she had purchased the apple pie since there was a bakery box on the kitchen counter
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Examples 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
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
Elizabeth Friend, Longreads, 29 Oct. 2024
Although telescopes from Earth detected gases on Pluto in 1988, researchers surmised that the tiny planet was losing them too quickly to build up a permanent layer in its skies.
—Shi En Kim, Smithsonian Magazine, 22 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for 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
An account of how the car, which turned completely over, came to such a mishap, could not be obtained, but it is surmised that the sharp curve in the road at that point and the slippery condition of the pavement last night must have had much to do with it.
—Elizabeth Friend, Longreads, 29 Oct. 2024
Although telescopes from Earth detected gases on Pluto in 1988, researchers surmised that the tiny planet was losing them too quickly to build up a permanent layer in its skies.
—Shi En Kim, Smithsonian Magazine, 22 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for surmise
Recent Examples of Synonyms for surmise
Noun
-
Also unclear is which time zone, but my guess would be ET.Bryan West, The Tennessean, 20 Dec. 2024
-
Not bad guesses, but not quite as good as Rita Ora and Robin Thicke's guess: hit R&B artist, actor, and Empire star Mario.Lauren Huff, EW.com, 19 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
Challenging Ageism and Sexism It’s often assumed that innovation and entrepreneurship is for younger people, fueled by the tech startup culture that celebrates youthful founders.Melissa Houston, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024
-
Looking ahead to 2025, Post pointed to potential optimism surrounding CEO Ariane Gorin, who assumed the role in May 2024, as a possible positive catalyst for the stock.Sean Conlon, CNBC, 18 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
He’s supposed to read as a reanimated corpse; a once-suave and debonaire one, but a corpse all the same.Charles Pulliam-Moore, The Verge, 20 Dec. 2024
-
It’s supposed to be a surprise gift for Dad. Lázsló is enlisted to design it.David Fear, Rolling Stone, 20 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
It would soon, it was presumed, elect a female president.Nate Cohn, New York Times, 25 Dec. 2024
-
This fateful decision meant that, when he is presumed to have fallen ill on his walk, Mosley was unable to raise the alarm.Caroline Frost, Deadline, 22 Dec. 2024
Articles Related to surmise
Thesaurus Entries Near surmise
Cite this Entry
“Surmise.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/surmise. Accessed 31 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share