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Speculatively - Meaning, Definition & English Examples

Speculatively means to think, act, or invest based on guesses or theories rather than solid evidence. It often implies uncertainty, curiosity, or risk-taking, as in speculating about future outcomes.

speculatively

/ˈspɛkjəˌleɪtɪvli/ /ˈspɛkjʊlətɪvli/

Definition:

In a manner involving conjecture or theoretical reasoning rather than knowledge.

Synonyms:

hypothetically, theoretically, conjecturally, tentatively

Part of Speech:

adverb

Antonyms:

certainly, definitively, conclusively

Common Collocations:

invest speculatively, speak speculatively, act speculatively

Derivatives:

speculate, speculation, speculative

Usage Tips:

Use "speculatively" to describe actions based on guesswork rather than facts; often used in finance or hypothetical discussions.

Common Phrases:

think speculatively, gaze speculatively, talk speculatively

Etymology:

Derived from Latin "speculativus," meaning contemplative or theoretical; related to "speculate."

Examples:

  • 1. She glanced speculatively at the old house, wondering if it was haunted.
  • 2. He invested speculatively in startups, hoping for high returns.
  • 3. The scientist spoke speculatively about life on other planets.
  • 4. They discussed the future speculatively, without concrete evidence.

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