Speculation
Speculation noun - A hypothesis that has been formed by speculating or conjecturing (usually with little hard evidence).
Usage example: speculations about the outcome of the election
Theory is a synonym for speculation in belief topic. In some cases you can use "Theory" instead a noun "Speculation", when it comes to topics like opinion, conjecture. popular alternative
Theory
Theory noun - An idea that is the starting point for making a case or conducting an investigation.
Usage example: set out to prove her theory that people can't really taste any difference between colas, so they buy according to the product's image
Speculation is a synonym for theory in hypothesis topic. You can use "Speculation" instead a noun "Theory", if it concerns topics such as belief, opinion, conjecture, guess. popular alternative
Mutual synonyms
Related pairs
- hunch and speculation
- hunch and theory
- belief and speculation
- belief and theory
- consideration and speculation
- consideration and theory
- surmise and speculation
- surmise and theory
- notion and speculation
- notion and theory
- opinion and speculation
- opinion and theory
- thought and speculation
- thought and theory
How words are described
| common | common speculation | common theory |
| current | current speculation | current theory |
| initial | initial speculation | initial theory |
| wild | wild speculation | wild theory |
| Other adjectives: popular, real, great, interesting, personal, early, persistent, general, above, bizarre, last, scientific, modern, unconfirmed. | ||
Both words in one sentence
- In the 6th Harry Potter book, Dumbledore openly states that everything from this point on regarding Voldemort is unconfirmed theory and speculation.
Source: Infallible Babble -
The above is little more than fan speculation and theory.
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Although there was never a clear plot (which spawned so much fan speculation and theory on what the heck is going on), the ending just pretty much leaves you feeling that you did all that effort of finding all the different effects for nothing.
Source: A Winner Is You
Cite this Source
Theory and Speculation. (2016). Retrieved 2026, July 20, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/speculation/theory
Speculation & Theory. N.p., 2016. Web. 20 Jul. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/speculation/theory>.
Theory or Speculation. 2016. Accessed July 20, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/speculation/theory.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "speculation" and "theory" have occurred on timeline