conjectural

[ kuhn-jek-cher-uhl ]

adjective

1. of, of the nature of, or involving conjecture; problematical:

   Theories about the extinction of dinosaurs are highly conjectural.

   Synonyms: doubtful, theoretical, speculative

2. given to making conjectures:

   a conjectural thinker.

conjectural

/ kənˈdʒɛktʃərəl /

adjective

1. involving or inclined to conjecture

Derived Forms

• conˈjecturally, adverb

Other Words From

• con·jectur·al·ly adverb
• uncon·jectur·al adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of conjectural¹

1545–55; < Latin conjectūrālis, equivalent to conjectūr ( a ) conjecture + -ālis -al ¹

Example Sentences

The court sided with the officers, saying that the township failed to demonstrate “real, not conjectural, harm” by using the flag and that the ban “addresses that harm in a direct and material way.”

From Seattle Times

The Constitution restricts the court to ruling only on actual “cases” and “controversies” — that is, on concrete harms affecting real people, not conjectural issues that might occur in the future.

From Los Angeles Times

Michael Dobson, director of the Shakespeare Institute in Stratford-upon-Avon, says: "The uncovering of the actual boards really trodden by Shakespeare's troupe during their tours of East Anglia should be far more significant to archaeologists of the Elizabethan theatre than is the conjectural replica of the Globe theatre erected near the real, long-demolished Globe's foundations in central London in the 1990s."

From BBC

Without confirmation from artists, their teams, or Braun himself, changes to Braun’s roster are conjectural.

From Seattle Times

In arguing against McKay’s motion, lawyers for the attorney general’s office argued that the law violated no part of the Tennessee Constitution and that McKay has not shown how he was negatively affected in ways that are not “conjectural” or “hypothetical.”

From Seattle Times