speculative
adjective
spec·u·la·tive
ˈspe-kyə-lə-tiv 
-ˌlā-
1
: involving, based on, or constituting intellectual speculation
also
: theoretical rather than demonstrable
speculative knowledge
2
: marked by questioning curiosity
gave him a speculative glance
3
: of, relating to, or being a financial speculation
speculative stocks
speculative venture
speculatively
adverb
Synonyms
Examples of speculative in a Sentence
His conclusions are highly speculative.
a writer with a speculative mind
a speculative boom in housing construction
Recent Examples on the Web
Any financial instruments mentioned herein are speculative in nature and may involve risk to principal and interest.
—
Katie Stockton, CNBC, 4 Nov. 2024
Rarely does this speculative frenzy turn out nicely.
—Jim Osman, Forbes, 21 Oct. 2024
Multiple projects use existing digital platforms and tools in distinct and innovative ways to tell their stories, ranging from the preservation of cultural heritage, speculative virtual ecosystems, and marginalized genders navigating public spaces.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 15 Oct. 2024
Bateson was never charged with those crimes, and the connection remains circumstantial and speculative.
—Katie Rife, EW.com, 13 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for speculative 
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Katie Stockton, CNBC, 4 Nov. 2024
Rarely does this speculative frenzy turn out nicely.
—Jim Osman, Forbes, 21 Oct. 2024
Multiple projects use existing digital platforms and tools in distinct and innovative ways to tell their stories, ranging from the preservation of cultural heritage, speculative virtual ecosystems, and marginalized genders navigating public spaces.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 15 Oct. 2024
Bateson was never charged with those crimes, and the connection remains circumstantial and speculative.
—Katie Rife, EW.com, 13 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for speculative
Dictionary Entries Near speculative
Cite this Entry
“Speculative.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/speculative. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
speculative
adjective
spec·u·la·tive
ˈspek-yə-lət-iv
-ˌlāt-
1
a
: of or relating to mental speculation
speculative knowledge
b
: curious sense 1
a speculative glance
2
: of or relating to financial speculation
speculatively
adverb
Legal Definition
speculative
adjective
spec·u·la·tive
ˈspe-kyə-lə-tiv, -ˌlā-
1
: involving, based on, or constituting intellectual speculation
also
: theoretical rather than demonstrable
speculative medical testimony concerning the cause of death
2
: of, relating to, or being a financial speculation
speculative securities
speculative home building
speculatively
adverb
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