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
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
First, because our common narrative framework depends on the past, many people still consider warming through a speculative lens, failing to recognize the severity, and urgency, of superstorms and sea-level rise.
—
Heather Hansman, The Atlantic, 22 Apr. 2025
However, the speculative bubble, which saw a surfeit of product land on the market, needs to be addressed.
—Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 17 Apr. 2025
But there was a definite hostage-video vibe to her appearances during the presidential campaign, giving students of body language a speculative field day.
—Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2025
Construction is already underway, with several speculative homes planned on pre-selected lots.
—Prime Development, Kansas City Star, 13 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for speculative
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Heather Hansman, The Atlantic, 22 Apr. 2025
However, the speculative bubble, which saw a surfeit of product land on the market, needs to be addressed.
—Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 17 Apr. 2025
But there was a definite hostage-video vibe to her appearances during the presidential campaign, giving students of body language a speculative field day.
—Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2025
Construction is already underway, with several speculative homes planned on pre-selected lots.
—Prime Development, Kansas City Star, 13 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for speculative
Cite this Entry
“Speculative.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/speculative. Accessed 28 Apr. 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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