speculative

[spek-yuh-ley-tiv, -luh-tiv] / ˈspɛk yəˌleɪ tɪv, -lə tɪv /

ADJECTIVE

theoretical

Synonyms

STRONGEST

analytical dangerous experimental hypothetical risky unproved unproven unsubstantiated

WEAK

abstract assumed conceptive dicey formularized hairy hazardous ideal idealized ideological iffy in theory intellectual logical notional philosophical presumed uncertain

Antonyms

STRONGEST

proven safe

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

While this remains speculative, the main goal is scientific.

From Science Daily • May 4, 2026

For now, speculative hype is simply part of the package.

From Barron's • Apr. 27, 2026

In March, a speculative post shared widely on UFO and conspiracy accounts linked up nine different names, including Loureiro, Grillmair, McCasland, Casias and missing aerospace engineer Monica Jacinto Reza.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 25, 2026

Memecoins are a type of highly speculative tokens whose value is largely based on the fleeting popularity of internet memes.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 25, 2026

I watched him repress the anger, watched as his eyes grew speculative.

From "Twilight" by Stephenie Meyer

Vocabulary lists containing speculative

Grade 9, List 1

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"Macbeth" Vocabulary from Act V

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And Then There Were None

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