as in hypothetical
existing only as an assumption or speculation
a speculative explanation of why this ancient pottery was found hundreds of miles from where it was made
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Recent Examples of speculative
Some states like Maryland, Minnesota and Maine have already passed restrictions on speculative tickets.
—
Cerys Davies, Los Angeles Times, 29 Jan. 2026
This, in turn, builds confidence in its long-term survival and moves it beyond just being a speculative gamble.
—K.h. Koehler, jsonline.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Breaking Bad took place in the languor of suburbia and Better Call Saul in the corrupt organs of the legal system, but Vince Gilligan’s latest show Pluribus makes a home out of the stranger substrate of speculative sci-fi.
—Kat Chen, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Jan. 2026
The rally is based on speculative foundry news that will not come to fruition for several years and a positive insider purchase that does not negate the fundamental challenges reflected in the recent earnings report.
—Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for speculative
Cerys Davies, Los Angeles Times, 29 Jan. 2026
This, in turn, builds confidence in its long-term survival and moves it beyond just being a speculative gamble.
—K.h. Koehler, jsonline.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Breaking Bad took place in the languor of suburbia and Better Call Saul in the corrupt organs of the legal system, but Vince Gilligan’s latest show Pluribus makes a home out of the stranger substrate of speculative sci-fi.
—Kat Chen, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Jan. 2026
The rally is based on speculative foundry news that will not come to fruition for several years and a positive insider purchase that does not negate the fundamental challenges reflected in the recent earnings report.
—Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for speculative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for speculative
Adjective
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King’s perspective is not just hypothetical.—
Rafael Olmeda,
Sun Sentinel,
1 Feb. 2026
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The association also argued that calculating risk based on hypothetical annual consumption levels could create unnecessary alarm and confusion.—
Deirdre Bardolf,
FOXNews.com,
31 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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As with every cycle, some schools will benefit more than others from district realignment, but Carter said getting too wrapped up in theoretical scenarios doesn’t serve much purpose.—
Colby Gordon,
Austin American Statesman,
31 Jan. 2026
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Originally, this was a great mystery, as cosmic rays were known to be composed almost exclusively of protons, and the theoretical limit on a proton that traveled through intergalactic space should forbid such excessively high energies.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
30 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Projections of economic gains from major sporting events are typically optimistic, euphoric, chimerical or conjectural.—
Michael Hiltzik,
Los Angeles Times,
19 June 2025
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That statistic is somewhat conjectural, since the vast majority of rapes in India are apparently not reported.—
Mark Jenkins,
Washington Post,
7 Nov. 2023
Cite this Entry
“Speculative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/speculative. Accessed 5 Feb. 2026.
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