Word
surmised
Phoneticssur·mised, stress on the second syllable
US/sɝˈmaɪzd/
UK/səmˈaɪzd/
Definition
v. to guess that something is true without having clear proof. You use this when you put small clues together in your mind.
v. the past tense of 'surmise'; to infer or suppose something to be true without conclusive evidence.
Examples
“I surmise she wants to leave early today.”
“The doctor surmised from the symptoms that he had the flu and ordered a test to confirm it.”
“From the scattered letters on the desk, she surmised that her grandfather had planned a journey he never discussed with anyone in the family.”
Examples
simple
“I surmise she wants to leave early today.”
contextual
“The doctor surmised from the symptoms that he had the flu and ordered a test to confirm it.”
complex
“From the scattered letters on the desk, she surmised that her grandfather had planned a journey he never discussed with anyone in the family.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “surmised” in context.
Verb
01. surmise from clues
“Readers surmised from clues that the narrator was unreliable.”
verb + prep + noun
02. surmise from evidence
“Police surmised from evidence that the break-in had been staged.”
verb + prep + noun
Adjective
03. correctly surmise
“Detectives correctly surmised that the suspect had fled by train.”
adv + verb
04. reasonably surmise
“From the empty plates, we reasonably surmised everyone had enjoyed the meal.”
adv + verb
05. shrewdly surmise
“Analysts shrewdly surmised the merger would collapse within months.”
adv + verb
Noun
06. surmise intention
“We surmised his intention to leave from his curt reply.”
verb + noun
07. surmise motive
“Investigators surmised the motive behind the anonymous donation.”
verb + noun
08. correctly surmise the reason
“She correctly surmised the reason for the delay without being told.”
09. could only surmise the truth
“Without witnesses, the jury could only surmise the truth.”
10. reasonably surmise what happened
“From the broken glass, they reasonably surmised what had happened.”
11. shrewdly surmise the outcome
“He shrewdly surmised the outcome of the negotiation from the start.”
12. surmise from limited evidence
“Scientists surmised from limited evidence that the species was nocturnal.”
Usage
The verb is transitive and commonly takes a direct object or a 'that'-clause.
Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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