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
Idahoans United said details in the financial statement — including mention of the state’s $850 million annual Medicaid budget — are misleading and speculative.
—
Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 31 Jan. 2025
The precise modeling of potential gains and losses for such speculative investments is basically impossible.
—Vineer Bhansali, Forbes, 23 Jan. 2025
Meme coins are highly speculative and like gambling must be regulated by the SEC.
—Justin Gest, Newsweek, 20 Jan. 2025
No hostages have been freed yet, and the cease-fire doesn’t start until Sunday, so all reports so far remain speculative and optimistic.
—Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 16 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for speculative 
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Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 31 Jan. 2025
The precise modeling of potential gains and losses for such speculative investments is basically impossible.
—Vineer Bhansali, Forbes, 23 Jan. 2025
Meme coins are highly speculative and like gambling must be regulated by the SEC.
—Justin Gest, Newsweek, 20 Jan. 2025
No hostages have been freed yet, and the cease-fire doesn’t start until Sunday, so all reports so far remain speculative and optimistic.
—Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 16 Jan. 2025
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 18 Feb. 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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