speculative

adjective

spec·​u·​la·​tive ˈspe-kyə-lə-tiv How to pronounce speculative (audio)
-ˌlā-
1
: involving, based on, or constituting intellectual speculation
also : theoretical rather than demonstrable
speculative knowledge
2
: marked by questioning curiosity
gave him a speculative glance
3
: of, relating to, or being a financial speculation
speculative stocks
speculative venture
speculatively adverb

Examples of speculative in a Sentence

His conclusions are highly speculative. a writer with a speculative mind a speculative boom in housing construction
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The Four-Year Tax Efficiency Gap The January 2021 ban on crypto ETNs was a misguided attempt to protect retail consumers from highly speculative cryptoassets (Bitcoin traded at $40k at the time). Boaz Sobrado, Forbes.com, 6 Oct. 2025 But some providers may remain confused or hesitant to administer the shots because of lingering uncertainty and mixed messages, for instance, speculative safety risks presented during the CDC's advisory committee meeting that are not backed by solid evidence. Pien Huang, NPR, 6 Oct. 2025 Risk appetite spilled into speculative assets as well. Benzinga, Freep.com, 4 Oct. 2025 Wall Street holds near record highs in a government-data blackout , with enough rotational energy toward left-behind groups, refreshed confidence in the AI spending frenzy, certainty of a Fed rate cut this month and speculative aggression in lower-quality longshots to keep the indexes aloft. Michael Santoli, CNBC, 3 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for speculative

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of speculative was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Speculative.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/speculative. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

speculative

adjective
spec·​u·​la·​tive ˈspek-yə-lət-iv How to pronounce speculative (audio)
-ˌlāt-
1
a
: of or relating to mental speculation
speculative knowledge
b
: curious sense 1
a speculative glance
2
: of or relating to financial speculation
speculatively adverb

Legal Definition

speculative

adjective
spec·​u·​la·​tive ˈspe-kyə-lə-tiv, -ˌlā- How to pronounce speculative (audio)
1
: involving, based on, or constituting intellectual speculation
also : theoretical rather than demonstrable
speculative medical testimony concerning the cause of death
2
: of, relating to, or being a financial speculation
speculative securities
speculative home building
speculatively adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on speculative

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