speculate
verb (used without object)
to engage in thought or reflection; meditate (often followed by on, upon, or a clause).
speculating
-
present participleof speculate.present participle
A verb form that is used in progressive verb constructions and may also function as a modifier or a gerund.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Putin's meeting with Pezeshkian comes days after the CIA's director John Ratcliffe made a rare trip to Moscow, with US media speculating he could have discussed Ukraine and Iran with his Russian counterparts.
From Barron's ● Aug. 29, 2026
Schnoebelen said that while the speculating on the origins of the statue is all conjecture at this point, she does enjoy the attention the statue has brought to this particular period of art.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 14, 2026
One is speculating in public about a woman’s health.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 7, 2026
He said there was "no obvious down-stream environmental impacts so far", but stressed the need to wait for the investigation to be completed before speculating.
From BBC ● Aug. 1, 2026
Biologists used to entertain themselves by speculating as to what would happen if, through some unthinkable catastrophe, the natural restraints were thrown off and all the progeny of a single individual survived.
From "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson
