surmise

[ verb ser-mahyz; noun ser-mahyz, sur-mahyz ]

verb (used with object)

, sur·mised, sur·mis·ing.

1. to think or infer without certain or strong evidence; conjecture; guess.

   Synonyms: suspect, suppose, imagine

verb (used without object)

, sur·mised, sur·mis·ing.

1. to conjecture or guess.

noun

1. a matter of conjecture.
2. an idea or thought of something as being possible or likely.
3. a conjecture or opinion.

surmise

verb

1. when tr, may take a clause as object to infer (something) from incomplete or uncertain evidence

noun

1. an idea inferred from inconclusive evidence

Derived Forms

• surˈmisable, adjective
• surˈmiser, noun

Other Words From

• sur·misa·ble adjective
• sur·mised·ly [ser-, mahyzd, -lee, -, mahy, -zid-], adverb
• sur·miser noun
• unsur·mised adjective
• unsur·mising adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of surmise¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English surmisen, from Anglo-French surmis(e), Middle French “accused,” past participle of surmettre “to accuse,” from Latin supermittere “to throw upon,” from super super- + mittere “to let go, send”

Word History and Origins

Origin of surmise¹

C15: from Old French, from surmettre to accuse, from Latin supermittere to throw over, from super- + mittere to send

Synonym Study

See guess.

Example Sentences

He could surmise one item in keeping with young women of Somali heritage.

From The Daily Beast

“In retrospect, one could surmise that ISIS has been working towards this point for years now,” he says.

From The Daily Beast

In any event, Sarkozy supporters are correct to surmise that his detention is bad timing for the comeback bid.

From The Daily Beast

She did, however, choose to surmise that “The nationality of the shooter, it sounds Hispanic, Latino,” based on his name.

From The Daily Beast

But herein—so according to one rose-colored surmise from Mad Men—lies the problem with my fantasy—it was just a fantasy.

From The Daily Beast

Twas inevitable that they should pry and surmise––surmising much more than they dared pry.

From Project Gutenberg

It may be difficult to surmise what has been the fate of these unfortunate men.

From Project Gutenberg

He was not to suppose or surmise that it bothered or burdened her to be with him.

From Project Gutenberg

But excuse us; our business is to state facts and not to wonder or surmise.

From Project Gutenberg

Her hand was dabbing furtively at her face for a purpose which Pierre could not surmise.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• deduce
• hypothesize
• infer
• opine
• presume
• pretend
• speculate
• theorize