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
Strength of the team With practices and scrimmages closed to the media, any insight into how Albin’s first-iteration 49ers are coming together is speculative.
—
Hunter Bailey, Charlotte Observer, 16 Aug. 2025
Or a business model potentially based on selling unregistered securities in a highly volatile and speculative financial ecosystem.
—Allison Morrow, CNN Money, 6 Aug. 2025
Palantir earnings reaction will be a tell for the speculative crowd.
—Michael Santoli, CNBC, 4 Aug. 2025
Some studies suggest that rising global temperatures may intensify wind shear in jet streams, potentially leading to more frequent or severe clear-air turbulence, but this is still speculative.
—Jim Foerster, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for speculative
Hunter Bailey, Charlotte Observer, 16 Aug. 2025
Or a business model potentially based on selling unregistered securities in a highly volatile and speculative financial ecosystem.
—Allison Morrow, CNN Money, 6 Aug. 2025
Palantir earnings reaction will be a tell for the speculative crowd.
—Michael Santoli, CNBC, 4 Aug. 2025
Some studies suggest that rising global temperatures may intensify wind shear in jet streams, potentially leading to more frequent or severe clear-air turbulence, but this is still speculative.
—Jim Foerster, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for speculative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for speculative
Adjective
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So the radio signals leaking out of a hypothetical alien star system might look a lot like the ones leaking out of ours.—
Kiona N. Smith,
Forbes.com,
23 Aug. 2025
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Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker’s office declined to comment to CNN on the ongoing federal takeover in DC or any hypothetical actions in Philly.—
Ray Sanchez,
CNN Money,
23 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Leadership and investors alike are demanding more than just a theoretical promise.—
Fran Rosch,
Forbes.com,
22 Aug. 2025
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Or the theoretical physicist Sheldon Cooper from The Big Bang Theory.—
Joe Hernandez,
NPR,
20 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Speculative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/speculative. Accessed 28 Aug. 2025.
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