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
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
Funding and Sustainability Challenges Many DAOs rely on token inflation or speculative interest for funding, which can be volatile and unsustainable.
—
Chrissa McFarlane, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025
What was once speculative technology is now steadily reshaping patient care.
—Matt Robison, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 May 2025
The state’s attorneys said that any injury or harm was speculative and that the immigrants already were subject to federal immigration enforcement, according to Heeren.
—Carolyn Komatsoulis, Idaho Statesman, 30 Apr. 2025
The story is grounded in current urban tensions: skyrocketing rents, speculative real estate and cultural erasure.
—Jamie Lang, Variety, 30 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for speculative
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Chrissa McFarlane, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025
What was once speculative technology is now steadily reshaping patient care.
—Matt Robison, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 May 2025
The state’s attorneys said that any injury or harm was speculative and that the immigrants already were subject to federal immigration enforcement, according to Heeren.
—Carolyn Komatsoulis, Idaho Statesman, 30 Apr. 2025
The story is grounded in current urban tensions: skyrocketing rents, speculative real estate and cultural erasure.
—Jamie Lang, Variety, 30 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for speculative
Cite this Entry
“Speculative.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/speculative. Accessed 9 May. 2025.
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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