surmise

Vocabulary Word

Definition

'Surmise' is to form an opinion or make a guess about something, even if you don't know all the specifics. Like seeing a co-worker arrive late and surmising they may have slept in.

Examples in Different Contexts

In stock trading, making decisions based on 'surmise' can be risky. A financial advisor might counsel, 'We shouldn't invest based on surmises; we need concrete data.'

Practice Scenarios

Creative

Scenario:

This character's actions seem to be driven by some unspoken fear. What do you think might be his motive?

Response:

Considering his behavior, I'd surmise he's afraid of getting caught.

Impact

Scenario:

We've got an amazing turn up at our campaign launch, what might this suggest about its potential reach?

Response:

With such an enthusiastic response, I surmise our campaign could reach tens of thousands.