Synonyms for speculation
ˌspɛk yəˈleɪ ʃənspec·u·la·tion

English Synonyms and AntonymsRate these synonyms:4.0 / 3 votes

1. speculation

   A hypothesis is a statement of what is deemed possibly true, assumed and reasoned upon as if certainly true, with a view of reaching truth not yet surely known; especially, in the sciences, a hypothesis is a comprehensive tentative explanation of certain phenomena, which is meant to include all other facts of the same class, and which is assumed as true till there has been opportunity to bring all related facts into comparison; if the hypothesis explains all the facts, it is regarded as verified; till then it is regarded as a working hypothesis, that is, one that may answer for present practical purposes. A hypothesis may be termed a comprehensive guess. A guess is a swift conclusion from data directly at hand, and held as probable or tentative, while one confessedly lacks material for absolute certainty. A conjecture is more methodical than a guess, while a supposition is still slower and more settled; a conjecture, like a guess, is preliminary and tentative; a supposition is more nearly final; a surmise is more floating and visionary, and often sinister; as, a surmise that a stranger may be a pickpocket. Theory is used of the mental coordination of facts and principles, that may or may not prove correct; a machine may be perfect in theory, but useless in fact. Scheme may be used as nearly equivalent to theory, but is more frequently applied to proposed action, and in the sense of a somewhat visionary plan. A speculation may be wholly of the brain, resting upon no facts worthy of consideration; system is the highest of these terms, having most of assurance and fixity; a system unites many facts, phenomena, or doctrines into an orderly and consistent whole; we speak of a system of theology, of the Copernican system of the universe. Compare SYSTEM.

   Synonyms:
   conjecture, guess, hypothesis, scheme, supposition, surmise, system, theory

   Antonyms:
   certainty, demonstration, discovery, evidence, fact, proof

Complete Dictionary of Synonyms and AntonymsRate these synonyms:4.0 / 1 vote

1. speculation

   Synonyms:
   contemplation, consideration, weighing, thought, theory, scheme, hypothesis, view, conjecture

   Antonyms:
   realization, proof, fact, verification, certainty

Princeton's WordNetRate these synonyms:3.7 / 3 votes

1. guess, conjecture, supposition, surmise, surmisal, speculation, hypothesisnoun

   a message expressing an opinion based on incomplete evidence

   Synonyms:
   guess, possibility, conjecture, surmise, guesswork, theory, meditation, venture, supposition, dead reckoning, guessing, surmisal, supposal, assumption, hypothesis, shot

2. speculation, conjecturenoun

   a hypothesis that has been formed by speculating or conjecturing (usually with little hard evidence)

   "speculations about the outcome of the election"; "he dismissed it as mere conjecture"

   Synonyms:
   surmisal, hypothesis, meditation, guess, conjecture, supposition, surmise, venture

3. speculation, venturenoun

   an investment that is very risky but could yield great profits

   "he knew the stock was a speculation when he bought it"

   Synonyms:
   surmisal, hypothesis, meditation, guess, conjecture, supposition, surmise, venture

4. meditation, speculationnoun

   continuous and profound contemplation or musing on a subject or series of subjects of a deep or abstruse nature

   "the habit of meditation is the basis for all real knowledge"

   Synonyms:
   surmisal, hypothesis, meditation, guess, conjecture, supposition, surmise, venture

Matched Categories

1. • Contemplation
   • Hypothesis
   • Investment
   • Opinion

Dictionary of English SynonymesRate these synonyms:0.0 / 0 votes

1. speculationnoun

   Synonyms:
   contemplation

2. speculationnoun

   Synonyms:
   theory, scheme, hypothesis, supposition, conjecture, view, a priori reasoning

Synonyms, Antonyms & Associated WordsRate these synonyms:1.0 / 1 vote

1. speculationnoun

   Synonyms:
   theory, supposition, conjecture, contemplation, thought

PPDB, the paraphrase databaseRate these paraphrases:0.0 / 0 votes

1. List of paraphrases for "speculation":

   speculative, conjecture, drivel

How to pronounce speculation?

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How to use speculation in a sentence?

1. Don Yee:

   I understand the advance speculation about Tom’s future. Without getting into the accuracy or inaccuracy of what’s being reported, Tom will be the only person to express his plans with complete accuracy, he knows the realities of the football business and planning calendar as well as anybody, so that should be soon.

2. Mehmet Ali Sahin:

   There has been a lot of speculation but there is no unrest within our party.

3. Vice President Li Yuanchao:

   An excessively fluctuating market is a market of speculation where only the few will gain the most benefit when most people suffer.

4. Norihiro Fujito:

   The ongoing rally in the Nikkei is not supported by broad economic growth or fundamentals, but rather by ample liquidity and speculation.

5. National Development and Reform Commission:

   This round of price increases is the result of multiple factors, including international transmission but also have many aspects reflecting over-speculation.