Speculate

/ˈspɛk.jʊˌleɪt/ · verb

Meaning

(obsolete, intransitive) To think, meditate or reflect on a subject; to consider, to deliberate or cogitate..

Definitions by Sense

1. (obsolete, intransitive) To think, meditate or reflect on a subject; to consider, to deliberate or cogitate.
2. (intransitive) To make an inference based on inconclusive evidence; to surmise or conjecture.
3. (intransitive, business, finance) To make a risky trade in the hope of making a profit; to venture or gamble.
4. (intransitive, programming) To anticipate which branch of code will be chosen and execute it in advance.

Example Sentences

It is remarkable that persons who speculate the most boldly often conform with the most perfect quietude to the external regulations of society.

We can speculate that in many instances the sharks are not feeding on their victims, but only in a few cases can we guess what they are doing.

It is tempting to speculate about the incentives or compulsions that might explain why anyone would take to the skies in [the] basket [of a balloon]: perhaps out of a desire to escape the gravity of this world or to get a preview of the next; […].

Some preliminary legal arrangements were made, but the scheme proceeded no further, as the various local authorities concerned were unwilling to speculate public funds on what was, even at that date, a will o' the wisp.

Synonyms for speculate

Antonyms for speculate

Related Words

Word Forms

• speculates
• speculating
• speculated

Usage Notes

Choose a synonym only when it preserves the intended meaning, tone, and grammar of the full sentence.

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