speculative
Adjective
Medium difficulty
What does “speculative” mean?
adjective.engaged in, expressing, or based on conjecture rather than knowledge.
SAT Usage
the term is often found in passages discussing finance, philosophy, or scientific hypotheses. It emphasizes an approach that relies on theories or assumptions rather than concrete evidence, distinguishing it from terms like "factual," which denotes a reliance on verified information.
Common Confusions
Speculative implies a reliance on conjecture or theories, while empirical usually suggests a foundation based on observation or experience.
Do not choose speculative if the context emphasizes certainty or established facts rather than conjecture based on limited knowledge.
Example Sentences
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The investment was highly speculative with no guarantee of return.