Meaning
Conjectural means based on guesswork, speculation, or incomplete evidence rather than definite proof. It describes something that is theoretical, hypothetical, or uncertain.
Grammar and Usage
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Part of speech: Adjective
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Meaning: Based on conjecture; speculative; not confirmed as fact.
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Often used to describe ideas, explanations, or conclusions that are assumed or proposed rather than proven.
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Common pattern:
- a conjectural explanation/theory/estimate
- highly conjectural statement
Common Phrases
- conjectural evidence – evidence that is uncertain or speculative
- conjectural theory – a theory based on assumptions or guesses
- conjectural reasoning – reasoning without solid proof
- conjectural view – an opinion not supported by facts
Collocations
- highly conjectural
- purely conjectural
- remain conjectural
- conjectural nature
- conjectural basis
Examples
- His explanation of the event was purely conjectural.
- The scientist warned that the results were still conjectural and needed further testing.
- Many early theories about the universe were highly conjectural.
- The origins of the tradition remain conjectural to this day.
- Any link between the two incidents is at best conjectural.
- The historian offered a conjectural reconstruction of the lost text.
- Her argument was built on conjectural reasoning rather than solid data.
- The date of the manuscript’s creation is conjectural.
Synonyms or Related
- speculative
- theoretical
- hypothetical
- assumed
- tentative
- uncertain
Antonym
- factual
- proven
- verified
- certain
- confirmed