Speculation
Speculation noun - A risky undertaking.
What if and speculation are semantically related. In some cases you can replace phrase "What if" with "Speculation", this terms are similar.
What if
Speculation and what if are semantically related. Sometimes you can use "Speculation" instead a noun phrase "What if".
Mutual synonyms
Both terms in one sentence
- In other words, I consider the book to be, as Lewis considered Narnia, a metaphysical speculation. His speculation was what if Our Lord appeared in a world where our legends are real, but the Sons of Adam are but legends?
Source: Literature / Somewhither - What If's Excellent Heavyweight Adventure zigzags this trope like a drunk man walking down the street, since it's trying to combine basic Sports Story tropes with Alternate History with genuine speculation by the author about how a Timey-Wimey Ball powered boxing tournament would actually turn out.
Source: Underdogs Never Lose
Cite this Source
What if and Speculation. (2016). Retrieved 2026, July 22, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/speculation/what_if
Speculation & What if. N.p., 2016. Web. 22 Jul. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/speculation/what_if>.
What if or Speculation. 2016. Accessed July 22, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/speculation/what_if.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "speculation" and "what if" have occurred on timeline