Synonyms for theorize
Most common
All synonyms
Verb
1. Speculate
speculate, hypothesize UK US, hypothesise UK, hypothetise UK, suppose, surmise, conjecture, hypothecate
Other
theoretize rare
Definitions
- v. 1
To formulate a theory, especially about some specific subject.
Related words
- Word family
- theorizer
- Other spellings
- theorise UK
Forms
- Past participle
- theorized
e.g. theorized → speculated, hypothesized, supposed, surmised…
Example sentences
- suppose I suppose we're a little too indulgent to the dog.
- speculate As to what happened there, one can only speculate.
- conjecture In any case, you are wrong in your conjecture.
- surmise "What do you think of my theory?" "It is all surmise."
Popularity over time
| Word | 1850 → 2019 | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| theorize | rising | |
| suppose | rising | |
| speculate | steady | |
| conjecture | steady | |
| surmise | steady |
Use in printed books, per decade from 1850 to 2019.
By length
- 7 letters
- suppose2, surmise2
- 9 letters
- speculate3
- 10 letters
- conjecture3, theoretize
- 11 letters
- hypothesize4, hypothesise, hypothecate, hypothetise
The small number after each word is its number of syllables (suppose2 = 2 syllables).