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.

Analysts speculate that we’re in a “crypto winter” of depressed prices—despite the fact that geopolitical chaos is exactly the environment in which Bitcoin is designed to thrive as “digital gold.”

From Barron's • Apr. 3, 2026

Some reports took the IBA saying Khelif has XY chromosomes to speculate that the fighter might have DSD.

From BBC • Mar. 26, 2026

They can be used to protect a portfolio against further short-term pain in the stock market, or to speculate on a decline.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 19, 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

It's almost a relief, to have someone else speculate over the things I think privately.

From "Girl in the Blue Coat" by Monica Hesse

speculate

Example Sentences

Related Words