surmise 1 of 2

noun

sər-ˈmīz How to pronounce surmise (audio)
Definition of surmisenext
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

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surmise

2 of 2

verb

sər-ˈmīz How to pronounce surmise (audio)
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

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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
Her large flat-screen living room television was missing, leading detectives at the time to surmise the killer may have known that footage from the victim’s surveillance cameras could be watched on that TV. — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 Aug. 2026 One rival executive who has spoken with Preller recently surmised that the initial ask would be at least two top-100 prospects. — Dennis Lin, New York Times, 23 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for surmise
Recent Examples of Synonyms for surmise
  1. guess
  2. assume
  3. suppose
  4. presume
Noun
  • Markets will certainly try to anticipate Fed actions, based on economic data and our guess about how the Fed will respond to new data.
    — Bill Conerly, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Whether or not the man who lost his three children will continue to be abused online is anyone’s guess.
    — Addie Morfoot, Variety, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of guess
Verb
  • Goldman’s model assumes SMIC will add between 30,000 and 50,000 advanced-node wafers in monthly capacity each year from 2026 through 2031.
    — Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Golden Tempo, meanwhile, assumed his position near the back of the field as his deep closing style has delivered huge glory in the past.
    — Danny Brewer, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of assume
Verb
  • In that time, three technologies have arrived that were each supposed to make human support teams unnecessary.
    — Antony P Gregory, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2026
  • It’s supposed to be scrubbed of personally identifiable markers, but how deep will that go?
    — Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of suppose
Verb
  • Still other explanations presume that the gods’ artistic representations in ritual settings are the basis of the meaning of their multiform appearances.
    — Charles Preston, Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The group presumes the deal would need approval from Chicago’s City Council as well.
    — Talia Soglin, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of presume

Browse Nearby Words

surly
surmise
surmised
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Cite this Entry

“Surmise.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/surmise. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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