as in theoretic
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of speculative
The proposal remains speculative, with no plans or legislation enacted since then.
—
Marley Malenfant, Austin American Statesman, 23 July 2025
Block’s posture increasingly resembles infrastructure investment rather than speculative exposure.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 23 July 2025
But a speculative downside to the lack of construction is when there’s not much space left for the city’s increasing office-job sector.
—Charlotte Observer, 21 July 2025
The Sirens is a compelling mix of contemporary, historical, and speculative fiction told through multiple points of view, mysterious dreams, and magical revelations.
—Kalie Cassidy
july 25, Literary Hub, 25 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for speculative
Marley Malenfant, Austin American Statesman, 23 July 2025
Block’s posture increasingly resembles infrastructure investment rather than speculative exposure.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 23 July 2025
But a speculative downside to the lack of construction is when there’s not much space left for the city’s increasing office-job sector.
—Charlotte Observer, 21 July 2025
The Sirens is a compelling mix of contemporary, historical, and speculative fiction told through multiple points of view, mysterious dreams, and magical revelations.
—Kalie Cassidy
july 25, Literary Hub, 25 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for speculative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for speculative
Adjective
-
In Baltimore County, this hypothetical is even worse.—
John Hohman,
Baltimore Sun,
9 Aug. 2025
-
Peltola, meanwhile, held a lead over Republican candidates in a hypothetical poll of the governor race.—
Andrew Stanton,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
This score reflects real-world usage rather than theoretical task analysis.—
Caroline Castrillon,
Forbes.com,
7 Aug. 2025
-
The resulting mysteries and their solutions only get more creative once the gang is back together, even dipping into theoretical science and thought experiments as the basis of his mind-bending stories.—
Kambole Campbell,
Vulture,
28 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Speculative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/speculative. Accessed 19 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share