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

Or does its unlikely real-world utility qualify it as an art project, meant to exist mostly in the realm of the speculative, or of aspirational ideals? —Oskar Oprey, Artforum, 28 Jan. 2025

The meltdown of the office market in the years after the coronavirus outbreak, however, rendered a speculative office development unfeasible. —George Avalos, The Mercury News, 28 Jan. 2025

Any financial instruments mentioned herein are speculative in nature and may involve risk to principal and interest. —Katie Stockton, CNBC, 27 Jan. 2025

All allegations that the 2024 election was rigged are speculative, and there are no investigations examining the claims. —John Yoo and John Shu, Newsweek, 24 Jan. 2025