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
The team surmised that this unbalance may be due to strong eastward winds that distribute heat and clouds across the exoplanet’s surface. — Monica Cull, Discover Magazine, 25 Feb. 2025 However, the 26-year-old quickly surmised that her death would only harm herself and that her efforts would be in vain, as those who harmed her would remain. — Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 20 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for surmise
Recent Examples of Synonyms for surmise
  1. guess
  2. assume
  3. suppose
  4. presume
Noun
  • After some wild previous guesses, including Jeong thinking Pearl was Madonna, the panel had more reasonable (though obviously swayed by the night's theme) predictions for who could be under the mask.
    — Jillian Sederholm, EW.com, 20 Mar. 2025
  • The person with the closest guess, without going over, gets to play the next game.
    — Tasha Tsiaperas, Axios, 17 Mar. 2025
Definition of guess
Verb
  • Begin the transition one to two months before the new baby's due date, assuming that your toddler is at least 18 months old, says Dr. Widome.
    — Laura Broadwell, Parents, 18 Mar. 2025
  • The act's fine print states that the president can only assume this authority once Congress has declared war.
    — Rachel Treisman, NPR, 18 Mar. 2025
Definition of assume
Verb
  • Plot Overview The Kennedy cousins, Tristan and Ethan, arrive at the White Lotus Maldives for what’s supposed to be a relaxing getaway.
    — Martine Paris, Forbes, 20 Mar. 2025
  • It’s only supposed to be used in emergency situations.
    — Melanie Asmar, The Denver Post, 19 Mar. 2025
Definition of suppose
Verb
  • His death follows that of the South Korean actress Kim Sae-ron, who was reportedly found dead at her home by a friend and presumed to have died by suicide.
    — Taijuan Moorman, USA TODAY, 11 Mar. 2025
  • The statement also employed a common far-right misrepresentation of Hitler, who in fact privatized much of the government, outlawed labor unions and ordered the killing of hundreds of thousands of people presumed to be socialists and communists.
    — Carlo Angerer, NBC News, 9 Mar. 2025
Definition of presume

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“Surmise.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/surmise. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.

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