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
Without the duties, the writers surmised that the price of those same goods would have fallen by 1 percent early this year. — Kate Nishimura, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2026 The scientists surmised that this occurs because lunar dirt, called regolith, that piled up around the crater as a result of the impact is less dense and therefore less able to retain heat. — Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 22 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for surmise
Recent Examples of Synonyms for surmise
  1. guess
  2. assume
  3. suppose
  4. presume
Noun
  • Whether that was Holmes speaking or Evans speaking for her is anyone’s guess.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Today’s puzzle took our testers an average of 5 guesses out of 6, or moderately challenging.
    — New York Times Games, New York Times, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of guess
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
  • 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
  • Defendants facing criminal charges are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
    — Brittany Miller, FOXNews.com, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Right now, there are zero Black performers in Gold Derby’s presumed top five in each acting category.
    — Nate Jones, Vulture, 9 Oct. 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 20 Oct. 2026.

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