部长驳斥了这些传言，称其纯属猜测。

The minister dismissed the rumours as mere ___speculation.

一位优秀的记者应该将文章建立在事实之上，而非猜测。

A good journalist should base their articles on facts, not on ___speculation.

媒体上关于这家公司未来的猜测甚嚣尘上。

There has been intense ___speculation in the media about the company's future.