conjectural

adjective

con·​jec·​tur·​al kən-ˈjek-chə-rəl 

-ˈjek-shrəl

1

: of the nature of or involving or based on conjecture

Without evidence, his conclusions are only conjectural.

2

: given to conjectures

… a conjectural critic …

—Samuel Johnson

conjecturally adverb

Synonyms

• academic
• academical
• hypothetical
• speculative
• suppositional
• theoretical
• theoretic

Examples of conjectural in a Sentence

a necessarily conjectural account of Shakespeare's life, since there is so little hard information

Recent Examples on the Web

But the possible consequences of an Iranian nuclear capability are largely conjectural (save for one: nobody would think of invading Iran anymore). —Barry R. Posen, Foreign Affairs, 7 Sep. 2010

That statistic is somewhat conjectural, since the vast majority of rapes in India are apparently not reported. —Mark Jenkins, Washington Post, 7 Nov. 2023

The change in perspective — from adolescent to academic — allows Knausgaard to expand the novel’s philosophical ambit to encompass evolution, the conjectural sentience of trees and the narrow scope of human comprehension. —Charles Arrowsmith, Washington Post, 13 Sep. 2023

Who has Scooter Braun managed? Without confirmation from artists, their teams, or Braun himself, changes to Braun’s roster are conjectural. —Massimo Marioni, Fortune, 24 Aug. 2023

Word History

Etymology

see conjecture entry 1

First Known Use

1553, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

conjectural

adjective

con·​jec·​tur·​al kən-ˈjek-chə-rəl 

-ˈjeksh-rəl

: being, involving, or based on conjecture

a conjectural interpretation

conjecturally

-rə-lē

adverb