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Showing results for speculate. Search instead for spelplats.
Definitions

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

Specialists with the Department of Fish and Wildlife speculate that he may have lost his toes due to umbilical cord strangulation.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 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

“I don’t want to speculate about April or June. But we will be ready to act if needed,” he added.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 11, 2026

Self-exposure was inevitable the moment she described a character’s weakness; the reader was bound to speculate that she was describing herself.

From "Atonement" by Ian McEwan