go out on a limb

VERB

chance

Synonyms

STRONG

attempt gamble hazard jeopardize plunge speculate stake try venture wager wildcat

WEAK

cast lots draw lots have a fling at play with fire put eggs in one basket put it on the line roll the dice run the risk skate on thin ice stick one's neck out take shot in the dark tempt fate tempt fortune toss up

Antonyms

STRONG

abstain

WEAK

aim design plan scheme

VERB

divine

Synonyms

STRONGEST

deduce discern foresee foretell infer prophesy surmise visualize

STRONG

anticipate apprehend conjecture forebode foreknow guess intuit perceive predict previse prognosticate see suppose suspect understand

WEAK

crystal-ball crystal-ball it forefeel opine see in the cards take a shot take a stab

Antonyms

STRONG

calculate disbelieve know misinterpret misunderstand

VERB

guess

Synonyms

STRONGEST

believe calculate divine fathom infer predict presume pretend solve speculate suggest suppose surmise think

STRONG

chance conjecture deduce deem estimate fancy guesstimate hazard hypothesize judge opine penetrate pick postulate predicate reason reckon select survey suspect theorize venture

WEAK

dare say happen upon jump to a conclusion lump it size up take a shot at take a stab at think likely work out

Antonyms

STRONGEST

abstain disbelieve ignore misunderstand neglect question wonder

STRONG

prove refuse reject

WEAK

measure

VERB

suppose

Synonyms

STRONGEST

deem expect presume pretend think understand

STRONG

accept admit brainstorm calculate conjecture divine dream estimate figure grant guesstimate hypothesize imagine infer judge opine posit predicate presuppose spark speculate surmise suspect take theorize

WEAK

cook up dare say hazard a guess take for granted

Antonyms

STRONG

deny disallow dispute know misunderstand prove reject

WEAK

measure

VERB

venture

Synonyms

STRONGEST

dare operate

STRONG

advance assay attempt bet brave challenge chance defy endanger essay experiment expose feel front gamble grope hazard imperil jeopardize presume risk speculate stake try volunteer wager

WEAK

dare say get down have a fling at lay open make a stab at make bold play for play the market put in jeopardy put up stick one's neck out take a crack at take a flyer take a plunge try out

Antonyms

STRONG

abstain design disbelieve guard hide neglect plan protect save yield

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.

Publishing a forecast that differs significantly from competitors’ amounts to throwing your weight behind a strong trading recommendation, so many economists hesitate to go out on a limb.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 8, 2026

“I’m going to go out on a limb here and say based on how much he’s complaining about conditions in the courtroom, he would hate jail.”

From New York Times • May 7, 2024

Share your thoughts about the match or go out on a limb and give us a prediction.

From BBC • Feb. 23, 2024

Now, so many people were willing to go out on a limb, to believe in a boy who just recently started believing in himself again.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 27, 2023

I decided to go out on a limb.

From "Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children" by Ransom Riggs

go out on a limb

Example Sentences

Related Words