as in guess
an opinion or judgment based on little or no evidence
the many conjectures about the true identity of Jack the Ripper
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
1
as in to estimate
to decide the size, amount, number, or distance of (something) without actual measurement
he conjectured that the theater could seat 1000 people more or less
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to guess
to form an opinion from little or no evidence
you're only conjecturing that he was the culprit
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 conjecture
Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Nov. 2025
Anderson leaves just as much, perhaps even too much, at the level of conjecture, and in these voids confusion brews.
—Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 24 Nov. 2025
Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 28 Aug. 2025
Whatever secrets the Carruthers still held — how the ship sank, what the last moments might have been like for the crew and who might be still aboard — would remain locked away and left to conjecture.
—Frank Witsil, Freep.com, 25 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for conjecture
Noun
While all of this is conjecture until the teams play, there is some definitive — and welcome — news for SDFC.
—Verb
There’s no end to conjectures about William Shakespeare’s life because there isn’t all that much definitive Shakespeareana to rake over.
—Recent Examples of Synonyms for conjecture
Noun
-
As for their final guesses, Robin Thicke chose Keke Palmer, McCarthy-Wahlberg opted for Leslie Jones, and Ken Jeong picked Wanda Sykes.—
-
Fans are encouraged to dress in blue or pink to cast their guesses, while Sierota plans to wear purple — a playful nod to keeping the secret.—
Verb
-
Barring drastic cuts to spending or bringing in additional revenue, the nonpartisan Legislative Analyst’s Office estimates the deficit could be as high as $18 billion this year and $35 billion in future years.—
-
Idaho’s Office of Performance Evaluations, an independent oversight agency, estimated in a report released last year that the gap between what school districts spend to educate students with disabilities and what the state provides is more than $80 million.—
Verb
-
Under such a rental structure, tenants are responsible for assuming their share of operating expenses, including property taxes, insurance and common area maintenance.—
-
Aumann’s lawsuit says he was initially hired as a consultant to assist fundraising for the venture but was asked to assume the CEO title after a falling out with a previous leader.—
Noun
-
Those are, indeed, pat, credible theories and predictions.—
-
But now, in the planet’s capital city of Apperax, a murder is committed with no suspects, forensics or theories.—
Verb
-
But after finishing first in the Smythe Division for six straight seasons from 1981-82 until 1986-87, the Oilers apparently figured that was enough.—
-
And that alone would figure to be a deal killer from a Hawks perspective.—
Verb
-
Or what are we supposed to make of that little revelation there?—
-
As part of the state’s NetZero by 2050 mandate, the Clean Heat Standard was originally supposed to take effect at the beginning of 2026.—
Verb
-
Jackson’s business track record has been just as calculated as his music career.—
-
For each, the company calculated population and per capita income over eight years.—
Verb
-
The arrest of the older brother of Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua and another man, initially suspected of taking Laker rookie Adou Thiero’s BMW, in December 2025 stemmed from a misunderstanding, according to the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department.—
-
Officials suspect the ram was moved to a more discreet location where it was cut into pieces that would fit in the car.—
Cite this Entry
“Conjecture.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/conjecture. Accessed 20 Jan. 2026.
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
