surmise
7 synonyms for surmise, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To guess or conclude something without solid proof.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
supposition
surmisal
Synonyms by Meaning
1. verb
To guess or conclude something without solid proof.
“From her tone, I surmised she wasn't happy about the decision.”
2. noun
A guess or conclusion based on limited evidence.
“It was pure surmise on his part — nobody had confirmed anything.”
Etymology
From Old French surmettre ("to accuse"), from sur- ("upon") + mettre ("to put") — the meaning softened over time from "accusation" to "guess".
Full origin of surmise →Frequently asked questions
What does “surmise” mean?
The word “surmise” means to guess or conclude something without solid proof. In plain terms, to make an educated guess, or the guess itself.
How do you pronounce “surmise”?
“Surmise” is pronounced sur-MYZ (/sɚˈmaɪz/ in IPA).
How do you use “surmise” in a sentence?
Here is “surmise” used in a sentence: “From her tone, I surmised she wasn't happy about the decision.”
What part of speech is “surmise”?
Depending on how it is used, “surmise” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “surmise” come from?
The word “surmise” comes from Old French. From Old French surmettre ("to accuse"), from sur- ("upon") + mettre ("to put") — the meaning softened over time from "accusation" to "guess".
How many meanings does “surmise” have?
“Surmise” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to guess or conclude something without solid proof.
