conjecture
Other forms: conjectures; conjectured; conjecturing
Can you guess what conjecture means? It's a word to use when you are not sure of something and have to "guess or surmise."
You can see how the word conjecture means that you create a theory or opinion about something without basing it in fact because the original definition of conjecture, from Old French, is "interpretation of signs and omens." Since signs and omens are pretty subjective, it makes sense that the word would then move to its current meaning. However, even though it only seems like weather reports are conjectures, they are actually based on evidence!
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believe especially on uncertain or tentative grounds
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synonyms:
hypothecate, hypothesise, hypothesize, speculate, suppose, theorise, theorize
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types:
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construct, reconstruct, retrace
reassemble mentally
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develop, explicate, formulate
elaborate, as of theories and hypotheses
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etymologise, etymologize
construct the history of words
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mature
develop and work out fully in one's mind
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redevelop, reformulate
formulate or develop again, of an improved theory or hypothesis
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type of:
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anticipate, expect
regard something as probable or likely
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reasoning that involves the formation of conclusions from incomplete evidence
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types:
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theorisation, theorization
the production or use of theories
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supposal, supposition
the cognitive process of supposing
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ideology
imaginary or visionary theorization
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presupposition
the act of presupposing; a supposition made prior to having knowledge (as for the purpose of argument)
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abstraction, generalisation, generalization
the process of formulating general concepts by abstracting common properties of instances
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type of:
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abstract thought, logical thinking, reasoning
thinking that is coherent and logical
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a hypothesis that has been formed by speculating or conjecturing (usually with little hard evidence)“he dismissed it as mere conjecture”
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synonyms:
speculation
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type of:
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hypothesis, possibility, theory
a tentative insight into the natural world; a concept that is not yet verified but that if true would explain certain facts or phenomena
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hypothesis, possibility, theory
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a message expressing an opinion based on incomplete evidence
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synonyms:
guess, hypothesis, speculation, supposition, surmisal, surmise
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types:
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divination
successful conjecture by unusual insight or good luck
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divination
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Vocabulary lists containing conjecture
Written by the influential abolitionist, Douglass's autobiography bears witness to the horrors of slavery. Read the full text here.
Shakespeare's famous tragedy tells the story of a Danish prince who must decide whether or not to avenge his father's death. Read the full text here.
Considered a seminal work of African-American literature, Their Eyes Were Watching God is notable for its strong and independent female protagonist.