Synonyms for

Speculation

Verb / ˌspekjʌˈleɪʃʌn / Another word for speculation — explore alternatives below. For syllable breakdowns and pronunciation, see this word on Syllablesworld.

Definition

Speculation means the act of guessing or forming opinions without knowledge or evidence.

Synonyms & similar words

conjecture surmisal hypothesis surmise meditation guess supposition venture guessing conjecture surmise supposition theory hypothesis assumption presumption postulation inference prediction forecasting projection estimation reckoning evaluation judgment opinion view belief

Synonyms by register

Formal

conjecture hypothesis theory supposition

Informal

guess hunch shot in the dark idea

Literary

meditation contemplation rumination

Antonyms

fact certainty knowledge proof reality verification confirmation

Common collocations

  • wild speculation
  • further speculation
  • informed speculation
  • economic speculation
  • market speculation
  • political speculation
  • without speculation

Word family

noun speculation
verb speculate
adjective speculative

Usage note

Speculation often implies a lack of concrete evidence, and can sometimes carry a negative connotation of unfounded guessing, especially in financial contexts.

Example sentences

  1. The stock market was fueled by speculation about the new product launch.
  2. Her speculation about the ending of the book was incorrect.
  3. The teacher warned the students not to engage in speculation about their grades.
  4. The company's profits were hurt by the negative speculation in the press.
  5. The detective made a speculation about the motive of the crime.

Quotes

  • Speculation is perfectly all right, but if you stay there you've only founded a superstition. - Carl Jung
  • Speculation is a tool for testing and refining your hypotheses about what might happen in the future. - Nabeel Qureshi
  • Speculation is only a word covering the making of money out of the manipulation of prices, instead of supplying goods and services. - Henry Ford

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