conjectural

American  

[kuhn-jek-cher-uhl] / kənˈdʒɛk tʃər əl /

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.

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conjectural British  

/ kənˈdʒɛktʃərəl /

adjective

1. involving or inclined to conjecture

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Other Word Forms

• conjecturally adverb
• unconjectural adjective

Etymology

Origin of conjectural

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

Example Sentences

"It's a conjectural but plausible evolutionary theory - one that can't be proven, but makes sense," says Anoop Misra, who heads Delhi's Fortis-C-DOC Centre of Excellence for Diabetes, Metabolic Diseases and Endocrinology.

From BBC • Apr. 12, 2025

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 • Nov. 14, 2023

Although these hazards are so far entirely conjectural, they are undoubtedly driving a growing community of researchers to study various harm-reduction tactics.

From Scientific American • Apr. 4, 2023

I worry that focusing on the guy with the jet pack will make this seem just so conjectural, hypothetical it’s easy to dismiss, and will make the whole enterprise seem too sci-fi-ish.

From Slate • Oct. 6, 2022

Though the dates given are often conjectural, especially for the Second Age, they deserve attention.

From "The Fellowship of the Ring" by J.R.R. Tolkien