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
The ratings firm continued its outlook for WBD as stable, but pointed to weak credit metrics overall to explain its bond rating markdown to speculative grade.
—
Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 20 May 2025
Both have no shortage of accusations to levy against the other, though all remains speculative at this point.
—Emily Forlini, PC Magazine, 20 May 2025
Yet OpenAI’s success hinged less on speculative philosophies than on more familiar systems: the flexibility of American capital, and Altman’s personal charm.
—Benjamin Wallace-Wells, New Yorker, 19 May 2025
Biden's attorney jumped in to clarify that Hur's team had asked a speculative question that did not reflect Biden's initial answer.
—Sarah D. Wire, USA Today, 18 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for speculative
Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 20 May 2025
Both have no shortage of accusations to levy against the other, though all remains speculative at this point.
—Emily Forlini, PC Magazine, 20 May 2025
Yet OpenAI’s success hinged less on speculative philosophies than on more familiar systems: the flexibility of American capital, and Altman’s personal charm.
—Benjamin Wallace-Wells, New Yorker, 19 May 2025
Biden's attorney jumped in to clarify that Hur's team had asked a speculative question that did not reflect Biden's initial answer.
—Sarah D. Wire, USA Today, 18 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for speculative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for speculative
Adjective
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One question on a sample exam Chisholm provided asks students to write a formula for determining the total number of cases during a hypothetical epidemic after a certain amount of days.—
Melissa Goldin,
Los Angeles Times,
1 June 2025
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As the keynote speaker at the Democrats’ 2025 Blue Palmetto Dinner at the South Carolina State Fairgrounds in Columbia, Moore hailed Clyburn, an essential figure in a hypothetical presidential run.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
31 May 2025
Adjective
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With a degree in theoretical mathematics and geophysical fluid dynamics, Kapnick saw herself as uniquely positioned to take on that challenge.—
Diana Olick,
CNBC,
31 May 2025
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This recent study, which does just that, studied two theoretical Population III stars: one 13 times as massive as the sun, and one 200 times as massive.—
Robin George Andrews,
Smithsonian Magazine,
30 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Speculative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/speculative. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
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