Speculative — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective /ˈspe-kyə-lə-tiv/ spec·u·la·tive

Meaning & Definition of Speculative

Speculative (adjective)

  1. involving, based on, or constituting intellectual speculation; also, theoretical rather than demonstrable
  2. marked by questioning curiosity
  3. of, relating to, or being a financial speculation

Speculative (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. 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"

    similar: academic, conjectural, hypothetical, suppositional, theoretical
    related: alleged, assumed, presumed, presupposed, proposed, supposed, unproved, unproven, untested, debatable, moot, abstract, conceptual, intellectual, metaphysical, nonclinical, nonpractical, nonempirical
    opposite: actual, factual, real
    near: clinical, practical, concrete, defined, definite, distinct, attested, authenticated, confirmed, demonstrated, established, proven, substantiated, tested, time-tested, validated, verified, empirical, nonspeculative, nontheoretical, observational

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Speculative

The most common words with a similar meaning to Speculative:

academic, conjectural, hypothetical, suppositional, theoretical

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Speculative

Words with the opposite meaning of Speculative:

actual, factual, real

Related Words for Speculative

alleged, assumed, presumed, presupposed, proposed, supposed, unproved, unproven, untested, debatable, moot, abstract, conceptual, intellectual, metaphysical, nonclinical, nonpractical, nonempirical

Near Antonyms of Speculative

clinical, practical, concrete, defined, definite, distinct, attested, authenticated, confirmed, demonstrated, established, proven, substantiated, tested, time-tested, validated, verified, empirical, nonspeculative, nontheoretical, observational

Word Forms of Speculative

Derived words: speculatively (adverb)

Origin & Etymology of Speculative

First known use: 14th century

Words & Phrases Containing Speculative

anti-speculative

Frequently Asked Questions about Speculative

What does "Speculative" mean?

"Speculative" means involving, based on, or constituting intellectual speculation; also, theoretical rather than demonstrable. As an adjective, it is defined as: involving, based on, or constituting intellectual speculation; also, theoretical rather than demonstrable.

What is another word for "Speculative"?

Other words for "Speculative" include academic, conjectural, hypothetical, suppositional and theoretical. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Speculative" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Speculative"?

There are 23 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Speculative". Common alternatives include academic, conjectural, hypothetical, suppositional and theoretical.

What is the opposite of "Speculative"?

Antonyms of "Speculative" include actual, factual and real. Near antonyms include clinical, practical, concrete and defined.

How do you use "Speculative" in a sentence?

Examples of "Speculative" in a sentence: "a speculative explanation of why this ancient pottery was found hundreds of miles from where it was made".

Is "Speculative" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Speculative" is an adjective.

How do you pronounce "Speculative"?

"Speculative" is pronounced /ˈspe-kyə-lə-tiv/ and divided into syllables as spec·u·la·tive.

What is the origin of the word "Speculative"?

First known use: 14th century.