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
The fourth volume and the final word on the provocative speculative fiction series Southern Reach.
—
The California Independent Booksellers Alliance, Los Angeles Times, 30 Oct. 2024
Cannon shot down these reasons, saying all of Routh’s arguments were speculative.
—Ashley Oliver, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 29 Oct. 2024
Of course, all of this is speculative, and analysts say elections usually have only short-term impacts on markets.
—Tori Latham, Robb Report, 28 Oct. 2024
Any financial instruments mentioned herein are speculative in nature and may involve risk to principal and interest.
—Katie Stockton, CNBC, 28 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for speculative 
The California Independent Booksellers Alliance, Los Angeles Times, 30 Oct. 2024
Cannon shot down these reasons, saying all of Routh’s arguments were speculative.
—Ashley Oliver, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 29 Oct. 2024
Of course, all of this is speculative, and analysts say elections usually have only short-term impacts on markets.
—Tori Latham, Robb Report, 28 Oct. 2024
Any financial instruments mentioned herein are speculative in nature and may involve risk to principal and interest.
—Katie Stockton, CNBC, 28 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for speculative
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'speculative.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near speculative
Cite this Entry
“Speculative.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/speculative. Accessed 4 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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