conjecture

[ kuhn-jek-cher ]

See synonyms for: conjecture conjectured conjecturing conjecturable on Thesaurus.com

noun

the formation or expression of an opinion or theory without sufficient evidence for proof.
an opinion or theory so formed or expressed; guess; speculation.

Obsolete. the interpretation of signs or omens.

verb (used with object),con·jec·tured, con·jec·tur·ing.

to conclude or suppose from grounds or evidence insufficient to ensure reliability.

verb (used without object),con·jec·tured, con·jec·tur·ing.

to form conjectures.

Origin of conjecture

1350–1400; (noun) Middle English from Latin conjectūra (from Middle French ) inferring, reasoning, equivalent to conject(us), past participle of conjicere “to throw together, form a conclusion” (con- con- + -jicere, combining form of jacere “to throw”) + -ūra -ure; (verb) late Middle English conjecturen (from Middle French ) from Late Latin conjecturāre, derivative of the noun

synonym study For conjecture

4. See guess.

Other words for conjecture

2	surmise, inference, supposition, theory, hypothesis
4	surmise, suppose, presume

See synonyms for conjecture on Thesaurus.com

Other words from conjecture

con·jec·tur·a·ble, adjective
con·jec·tur·a·bly, adverb
con·jec·tur·er, noun
mis·con·jec·ture, verb, mis·con·jec·tured, mis·con·jec·tur·ing, noun
non·con·jec·tur·a·ble, adjective
non·con·jec·tur·a·bly, adverb
pre·con·jec·ture, verb (used with object), pre·con·jec·tured, pre·con·jec·tur·ing.
un·con·jec·tur·a·ble, adjective
un·con·jec·tured, adjective

Words Nearby conjecture

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use conjecture in a sentence

In July, his group reported a set of original conjectures and proofs generated and verified by machines.
How Close Are Computers to Automating Mathematical Reasoning? | Stephen Ornes | August 27, 2020 | Quanta Magazine
If he and Heule could prove that this rewriting system always terminates, they’d prove that the conjecture is true.
Computer Scientists Attempt to Corner the Collatz Conjecture | Kevin Hartnett | August 26, 2020 | Quanta Magazine
“The computers said no, so we know the conjecture does hold,” said Heule.
Computer Search Settles 90-Year-Old Math Problem | Kevin Hartnett | August 19, 2020 | Quanta Magazine
Bloom and Sisask have only proved the conjecture for evenly spaced triples, not for longer arithmetic progressions, a task that currently seems out of reach.
Landmark Math Proof Clears Hurdle in Top Erdős Conjecture | Erica Klarreich | August 3, 2020 | Quanta Magazine
Zurek and Verlinde’s approach will only work if our universe is holographic — a conjecture that is far from established.
How the Bits of Quantum Gravity Can Buzz | Thomas Lewton | July 23, 2020 | Quanta Magazine

Invited to explain how that might be possible, he offered a confused conjecture about how he might have blacked out.
The Myth of the Central Park Five | Edward Conlon | October 19, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
And it is conjecture, based on the sketchy bits of evidence we possess.
Is Brooklyn Becoming Unsafe for Gays? It Depends On Which Ones | Jay Michaelson | October 18, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
After all, the innermost sexual longings of presidents, both living and dead, have long been the stuff of rumor and conjecture.
Fifty Shades of Presidential FanFiction | Amy Zimmerman | August 2, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
It is not a conjecture, and so many of these groups it is basically donor capture.
Conservative Senator Kicks Tea Party to the Curb | David Freedlander | May 31, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
Mr. Rove, you make these claims purely as conjecture without any facts, fanned by the emotions of your partisanship.
Karl Rove’s Awful, and Afactual, Remarks About Hillary Clinton’s Health | Sally Kohn | May 13, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
conjecture, lost in the mazy distance, gladly lays hold of something substantial in the shape of snuff's first royal patron.
Tobacco; Its History, Varieties, Culture, Manufacture and Commerce | E. R. Billings.
Another conjecture is, that she was acquainted with some political secrets, and that fear caused her death.
Journal of a Voyage to Brazil | Maria Graham
After this striking confirmation of my conjecture, I think no more need be said.
Chaucer's Works, Volume 1 (of 7) -- Romaunt of the Rose; Minor Poems | Geoffrey Chaucer
I cannot send you the least account or even conjecture of Lords to be created or Commons to be dissolved.
Private Letters of Edward Gibbon (1753-1794) Volume 1 (of 2) | Edward Gibbon
The circumstance that the system was only used for instrumental music is at least in harmony with this conjecture.
The Modes of Ancient Greek Music | David Binning Monro

British Dictionary definitions for conjecture

conjecture

/ (kənˈdʒɛktʃə) /

noun

the formation of conclusions from incomplete evidence; guess
the inference or conclusion so formed

obsolete interpretation of occult signs

verb

to infer or arrive at (an opinion, conclusion, etc) from incomplete evidence

Origin of conjecture

C14: from Latin conjectūra an assembling of facts, from conjicere to throw together, from jacere to throw

Derived forms of conjecture

conjecturable, adjective
conjecturably, adverb
conjecturer, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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