hypothesize

1. (ambitransitive) To assume or assert tentatively on uncertain grounds.Examples: "When hormones signal breast cells to divide more rapidly, scientists hypothesize, they increase breast cancer risk by causing precancerous or cancerous cells to multiply."; "Census response is thus a reasonable proxy for civicminded attitudes and cooperation that are hypothesized to improve governmental performance."; "Dahood hypothesizes an occurrence of a verb rihham ('to conceive, enwomb')"Synonyms: hypotheticate, guess, arread, assume, fancy, conject, conjecture, daresayBritishEnglishOxfordUSambitransitive