SURMISING Synonyms: 34 Similar and Opposite Words

surmising

verb

present participle of surmise

as in guessing

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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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 surmising During this period, this Simpsons episode circulated on social media (with a few digital modifications), with various media outlets surmising that the series had predicted these events. — Dan Snierson, Entertainment Weekly, 16 June 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for surmising

Verb

LaBranche has become a master of sleight of hand and confusing defenses as the Warriors utilize a ton of misdirection and a plethora of running backs to keep the opposition guessing about who is getting the ball.

— Steve Millar, Chicago Tribune, 17 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, New York Times, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of guessing

Verb

Check your insurance terms directly rather than assuming elective treatment or related complications are covered.

— Kaitlyn Gomez, Miami Herald, 16 Oct. 2026
However, other analysts have expressed concerns about assuming that take-or-pay legal structures are iron-clad and about equating backlogs with revenue.

— Tobias Burns, CNBC, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of assuming

Verb

More recently, other experts have advised American farmers to go all out growing soybeans, supposing they will be needed by the Chinese or somebody.

— Cynthia Zarin, Harpers Magazine, 4 Aug. 2026
Even supposing the pledges in the 1990s documents amounted to a crime, the legal deadline for bringing mortgage fraud charges has expired.

— Aysha Bagchi, USA Today, 8 Dec. 2025

Definition of supposing

Verb

Legal experts say that bail is rarely given where there are serious grounds for suspecting terrorism offenses.

— Kara Fox, CNN Money, 30 Sep. 2026
From then on, maybe suspecting his daughters of foul play, Andrew kept the doors to his room locked — both the one that opened out into the stairs and the one connecting his room to Lizzie’s.

— Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of suspecting

Verb

Political experts are also speculating about what the contribution means about AOC's political future.

— Marcia Kramer, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026
Sources told Page Six that Charles’ absence made many nervous, and royal insiders began speculating that his work schedule has been reduced.

— Allison DeGrushe, StyleCaster, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of speculating

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surmises

surmising

surmount

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“Surmising.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/surmising. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of surmising

verb

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