guess 1 of 2

verb

ˈges How to pronounce guess (audio)
Definition of guessnext
1
as in to assume
to form an opinion from little or no evidence though she does not speak with an accent, I would still guess that she is a foreigner

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to estimate
to decide the size, amount, number, or distance of (something) without actual measurement I would guess the road goes for about two miles before you have to take a left

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to think
to have as an opinion I never would have guessed that she was capable of such a terrible thing

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

guess

2 of 2

noun

as in guessing
an opinion or judgment based on little or no evidence if you don't know the answer for sure, just make a guess

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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 guess
Verb
At that same Screentime event, anyone reading between the lines might have guessed that Sarandos was getting antsy with Netflix’s current low-growth status. — Matt Donnelly, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026 Despite the cookie-cutter nature of the main plot elements, a few star writers emerged who were able to keep readers guessing. — New York Times, 15 Oct. 2026
Noun
Where nothing can, longer thinking mostly buys you longer, more confident guesses. — Dhyey Mavani, Forbes.com, 5 Oct. 2026 What that means in practical terms going forward is anyone’s guess. — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 4 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for guess
Recent Examples of Synonyms for guess
  1. assume
  2. estimate
  3. think
  4. guessing
  5. suppose
  6. calculate
  7. believe
  8. theory
Verb
  • The film follows a Polish burglar who assumes the identity of a dead stranger’s girlfriend, with unexpected results.
    — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 18 Oct. 2026
  • And, of course, anyone who remembers the optimistic hordes streaming up Michigan Avenue after Barack Obama made his victory speech for president of the United States in Grant Park well knows the local benefits of a Chicagoan assuming the presidency.
    — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of assume
Verb
  • Within an hour, the incident was estimated at about 35 acres, including various spot fires that erupted as winds pushed the flames forward.
    — Tom Tapp, Deadline, 16 Oct. 2026
  • And Gartner estimates that 80% of neocloud providers will cease independent operations by 2030 because their revenues won’t cover their outgoings.
    — Jim Edwards, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of estimate
Verb
  • After writing the first episode of Season 2, Harjo immediately thought of Jones for the part as Lee’s father.
    — Michael Schneider, Variety, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Internally, the company thinks of itself as having the heft of a Lionsgate or even a Sony.
    — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of think
Noun
  • Torn, who died in 2019, kept his co-stars guessing, according to Pollak.
    — Stephanie Giang-Paunon, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2026
  • There’s outward social and internalized pressure on the Dashwood sisters to marry, and do it quickly, but per any Austen tale, the path is blotchy and blocked by obstacles and second-guessing.
    — Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of guessing
Verb
  • The three children and a teacher shot to death at Silver Rail Elementary School in central Oregon were in a classroom dedicated to students with special needs – an environment that’s supposed to be nurturing, safe and supportive.
    — Ray Sanchez, CNN Money, 18 Oct. 2026
  • More problematic was the character’s heritage; he’s supposed to be half-English and half-Paraguayan, and to say Gere’s accent is inconsistent would be charitable.
    — Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of suppose
Verb
  • Policymakers and advocates have proposed alternatives to the CPI-W for calculating the annual COLA.
    — Lorie Konish, CNBC, 14 Oct. 2026
  • When the drone flies near an object and a whisker grazes or bends against a surface, the pressure changes at the base are measured in under two milliseconds, enabling the drone to calculate contact location and depth with millimeter precision.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of calculate
Verb
  • Fennel believes the Halifax team may eventually pin its estimate to within 10 percent.
    — Alec Luhn, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
  • The Hulu series also stars Sam Nivola as a teenager who awakens from a coma after an accident believing his mother (Britton) is an impostor.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of believe
Noun
  • Framing theory explains how the presentation of information in the media influences the way people process and interpret it.
    — Heather LaMarre, The Conversation, 14 Oct. 2026
  • His theory didn’t reach far beyond Japan until the translation of his original essay, first in 1978, then in 2005, and again, with Mori’s approval, in 2012.
    — Daniel Hernandez, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of theory

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Cite this Entry

“Guess.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/guess. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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