speculate
verb (used without object)
to engage in thought or reflection; meditate (often followed by on, upon, or a clause).
were speculating
-
past progressiveof speculate.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
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.
Within minutes, rival executives were speculating whether the Dodgers had blown their chance to sign Ohtani.
From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 6, 2023
The move, according to the bank's prime brokerage unit, was mainly led by short sales, meaning that hedge funds were speculating on a decline in energy stocks' prices.
From Reuters ● Sep. 18, 2023
Before your name came out, people were speculating it would be Rina Sawayama or Mabel or Mimi Webb.
From BBC ● May 12, 2023
Just this month, investors were speculating that the Fed might make a full percentage-point increase this week, only to simmer down after central bankers and fresh data signaled that a smaller move was more likely.
From New York Times ● Jul. 25, 2022
"Norton told me you were speculating in Altacoola lands," said Langdon.
From A Gentleman from Mississippi by Harrison Rhodes
