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Surmise Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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surmise

[sษ™หˆrmaษชz ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Verb

inference

To make a guess based on incomplete information or evidence.

Synonyms

conjecture, guess, infer, speculate.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
surmise

Used when you form an opinion or conclusion based on very little evidence.

  • I can only surmise that she left early because she wasn't feeling well.
  • From his expression, I surmise he wasn't pleased with the decision.
guess

Used in everyday conversation when you make an assumption without much information. It's often casual and informal.

  • I guess he won't come to the party.
  • Can you guess how many candies are in the jar?
speculate

Used when you form an opinion or theory without firm evidence, often based on incomplete information. It may imply a bit of adventurous thinking.

  • They speculated about what might happen if the company went bankrupt.
  • It's fun to speculate on what life on other planets might be like.
infer

Used when you draw a conclusion based on evidence and reasoning. It often implies a deeper level of thinking and logic.

  • From the data presented, we can infer that the project will succeed.
  • She inferred from his silence that he was upset.
conjecture

Used when you make a hypothesis without strong supporting evidence, often in scientific or formal contexts. It usually indicates that itโ€™s an opinion or idea not necessarily based on complete information.

  • The scientist's conjecture about the origins of the universe remains unproven.
  • All we have at this point are conjectures until further data is gathered.

Examples of usage

  • I can only surmise what happened in his absence.
  • She surmised that he was not telling the whole truth.
Context #2 | Noun

inference

A guess or conjecture made with little or no evidence.

Synonyms

assumption, conjecture, hypothesis, speculation.

Examples of usage

  • Her surmise about his intentions was proven wrong.
  • The police acted on the surmise that the suspect was armed.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Literature

  • Famous works, like Arthur Miller's 'Death of a Salesman,' involve characters making assumptions about their success based on minimal evidence.
  • Sherlock Holmes often surmised facts from minimal clues, showcasing the power of observation in detective fiction.

Psychology

  • Humans naturally surmise to fill in gaps in information, reflecting our brain's tendency to create narratives.
  • Cognitive biases can lead people to surmise inaccurately based on previous experiences or stereotypes.

Pop Culture

  • Surmising is common in reality TV, where contestants often guess each other's motives and strategies without full context.
  • Mystery genres frequently revolve around the main character's ability to surmise the truth from misleading clues.

Education

  • Encouraging students to surmise can enhance critical thinking skills, helping them formulate hypotheses in science.
  • Teachers often ask students to surmise outcomes based on provided data to develop analytical thinking.

Origin of 'surmise'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the Old French 'surmiser', meaning 'to put above or over', which reflects making assumptions.
  • In Latin, the roots 'super' (over) and 'mittere' (to send) form the basis, which hints at sending thoughts over gaps in knowledge.

The word 'surmise' originated in Middle English from the Old French verb 'surmis', meaning 'to charge, impute'. Over time, it evolved to its current usage in English to represent making a guess or inference based on incomplete information. The term has been in use since the 15th century and continues to be a valuable addition to the English language.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #16,578, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.