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
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Recent Examples of speculative
Analysts warn that investors could face pain if speculative infrastructure bets outpace real-world utility or revenues, recalling lessons from early-2000s telecom overreach.
—
Jason Ma, Fortune, 26 Oct. 2025
His speculative effort took a fortunate deflection off Yasin Ayari’s back before spinning into the net.
—Carl Anka, New York Times, 26 Oct. 2025
One of 2022’s most exciting debuts and produced by the animation studio MAPPA, the anime is a hodgepodge of demonic violence, crude humor, and speculative fiction.
—Eric Vilas-Boas, Vulture, 24 Oct. 2025
Here then, is a speculative weekend itinerary, complete with a few key pieces to match your activities.
—Gretta Monahan, Boston Herald, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for speculative
Jason Ma, Fortune, 26 Oct. 2025
His speculative effort took a fortunate deflection off Yasin Ayari’s back before spinning into the net.
—Carl Anka, New York Times, 26 Oct. 2025
One of 2022’s most exciting debuts and produced by the animation studio MAPPA, the anime is a hodgepodge of demonic violence, crude humor, and speculative fiction.
—Eric Vilas-Boas, Vulture, 24 Oct. 2025
Here then, is a speculative weekend itinerary, complete with a few key pieces to match your activities.
—Gretta Monahan, Boston Herald, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for speculative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for speculative
Adjective
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In non-hypothetical basketball news, the episode also dives into the WNBA’s moment of unprecedented growth.—
J.J. Bailey,
New York Times,
2 Nov. 2025
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Early last month, text messages from 2022 show Jay Jones, the Democratic nominee for attorney general and a former member of the Virginia legislature, describing hypothetical violence against a political opponent.—
Jahd Khalil,
NPR,
2 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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But You fans invested in a theoretical off-screen romance.—
Tommy McArdle,
PEOPLE,
27 Oct. 2025
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The risk for both Milei and Washington is not theoretical.—
Jesus Mesa,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Speculative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/speculative. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
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