as in hypothetical
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
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Recent Examples of speculative
Perhaps within the speculative intersection of heterotopia and uchronia lies the realm of utopia—which may be the core of Urbano’s practice.
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Javier Montes, Artforum, 1 Jan. 2026
The findings impact physics, computer science, and philosophy, grounding a speculative idea in hard, natural limits.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 31 Dec. 2025
For instance, the sheer amount of energy requested by data centers in California is prompting questions about costly grid upgrades even as speculative projects and fast-shifting AI loads make long-term planning uncertain.
—Calmatters, Oc Register, 29 Dec. 2025
This list is presented in no particular order, and ranges from buildings that are underway as well as others that are much more speculative – but each one displays incredible ambition.
—New Atlas, 28 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for speculative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for speculative
Adjective
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But that hypothetical reality is likely months away, at best.—
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In a hypothetical world where college athletes are unionized employees, the athletes’ union might negotiate better terms for some athletes—but that’s not reality and won’t be a reason for the Ninth Circuit to reverse Wilken.—
Adjective
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In solving an 80-year-old chemical mystery, the researchers have not only answered a long-standing theoretical question but also expanded the toolbox of modern chemistry.—
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Beat writer Lauren Williams walks us through a few theoretical trades here.—
Adjective
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Projections of economic gains from major sporting events are typically optimistic, euphoric, chimerical or conjectural.—
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That statistic is somewhat conjectural, since the vast majority of rapes in India are apparently not reported.—
Cite this Entry
“Speculative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/speculative. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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