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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of speculative
The Athletic has taken a speculative leap and analysed several strikers that would fit the bill, including one previously linked to West Ham but coveted by the Premier League’s top clubs.
—
Mark Carey, New York Times, 4 July 2025
But the Michigan Supreme Court overruled that decision, concluding that Goss' theory was not speculative, and that his case should proceed.
—Tresa Baldas, Freep.com, 3 July 2025
Also worth watching this month are a frothy Bravo debut, a speculative drama about the end of Denmark, and a golf comedy starring Owen Wilson.
—Judy Berman, Time, 27 June 2025
Even with the recent resurgence in speculative stocks, the Schwab US Large-Cap Value ETF (SCHV), is outperforming its growth sibling, the Schwab US Large-Cap Growth ETF (SCHG) +8.35% versus +4.34% year-to-date.
—James Berman, Forbes.com, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for speculative
Mark Carey, New York Times, 4 July 2025
But the Michigan Supreme Court overruled that decision, concluding that Goss' theory was not speculative, and that his case should proceed.
—Tresa Baldas, Freep.com, 3 July 2025
Also worth watching this month are a frothy Bravo debut, a speculative drama about the end of Denmark, and a golf comedy starring Owen Wilson.
—Judy Berman, Time, 27 June 2025
Even with the recent resurgence in speculative stocks, the Schwab US Large-Cap Value ETF (SCHV), is outperforming its growth sibling, the Schwab US Large-Cap Growth ETF (SCHG) +8.35% versus +4.34% year-to-date.
—James Berman, Forbes.com, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for speculative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for speculative
Adjective
-
Some of them don't always make a lot of sense, but this hypothetical deal seems to have the groundwork of a potential trade this month.—
Zach Pressnell,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 July 2025
-
As directed by Grok’s cousin (or whatever), the hypothetical Labubu Movie from AI might be a trainwreck.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
18 July 2025
Adjective
-
From my perspective, these shifts aren’t theoretical.—
Jack Thorogood,
Forbes.com,
16 July 2025
-
Carter, who had a doctorate in theoretical physics, dispatched a team of officers to the Bay Area to set up an outpost—officially called the Defense Innovation Unit, but known at the Pentagon as Unit X.—
Dexter Filkins,
New Yorker,
14 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Speculative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/speculative. Accessed 22 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share