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 of speculative
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
In-hand images of the new Air Jordan 4 sneaker aren’t yet available, but a speculative mock-up was shared which is said to provide an accurate depiction of what to expect from the retail shoe.
—
Riley Jones, Footwear News, 19 May 2026
These were businesses with customers and contracts, not speculative bets on price appreciation.
—Jayden Wei, Forbes.com, 18 May 2026
High-yield savings and money market accounts, however, have variable rates that will change over time, making interest-earning calculations with both more speculative.
—Matt Richardson, CBS News, 18 May 2026
Any financial instruments mentioned herein are speculative in nature and may involve risk to principal and interest.
—Katie Stockton, CNBC, 18 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for speculative
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Riley Jones, Footwear News, 19 May 2026
These were businesses with customers and contracts, not speculative bets on price appreciation.
—Jayden Wei, Forbes.com, 18 May 2026
High-yield savings and money market accounts, however, have variable rates that will change over time, making interest-earning calculations with both more speculative.
—Matt Richardson, CBS News, 18 May 2026
Any financial instruments mentioned herein are speculative in nature and may involve risk to principal and interest.
—Katie Stockton, CNBC, 18 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for speculative
Cite this Entry
“Speculative.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/speculative. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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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