Synonyms of speculative

speculative

adjective

ˈspe-kyə-lə-tiv 

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• theoretic
• hypothetical
• theoretical
• conjectural
• academical
• proposed
• metaphysical
• conceptual
• academic
• suppositional
• debatable
• unproven
• unproved
• alleged
• presumed
• abstract
• supposed
• untested
• assumed
• moot
• presupposed
• intellectual
• nonclinical
• nonempirical
• nonpractical

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• actual
• real
• factual
• practical
• clinical
• definite
• concrete
• distinct
• defined
• demonstrated
• confirmed
• empirical
• observational
• substantiated
• empiric
• tested
• proven
• validated
• established
• verified
• attested
• authenticated
• nonspeculative
• time-tested
• nontheoretical

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of speculative

Single-game tickets for A’s home games were posted for sale as early as last fall — before those tickets even existed, through a controversial practice known as speculative listing. —Michael McGough and, Sacramento Bee, 24 Mar. 2025

Whether Congress will do so is purely speculative, especially in the current political environment. —Joshua Cowen, The Conversation, 12 Mar. 2025

Implementing stronger oversight for speculative assets. —Susie Violet Ward, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025

Dumont observes both the underclass and the otherworldly — elevating the analogies found in speculative fiction. —Armond White, National Review, 14 Mar. 2025