as in theoretic
existing only as an assumption or speculation
we talked about what we would do in various hypothetical emergencies
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in assumption
something taken as being true or factual and used as a starting point for a course of action or reasoning
believes that predictions of the extinction of certain species as the result of global warming are based upon too many hypotheticals
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of hypothetical
Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 26 Mar. 2025
For a hypothetical plus-size shopper who’s been invited to a special event and wants to wear something new, her options for shopping in-person are limited.
—Virgie Tovar, Forbes, 23 Mar. 2025
For The Other To Blink Given the view in Europe that Trump is abandoning NATO in favor of the Kremlin, in a hypothetical future conflict with Russia, Europe might worry that the U.S. could cut off spare parts and updates for the F-35, Aboulafia says.
—Scott Neuman, NPR, 19 Mar. 2025
And Billups, to cite that hypothetical, might do a great job.
—Sean Keeler, The Denver Post, 19 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hypothetical
Adjective
He was asked about what to do with the cases of multiple repeat offenders, including some hypothetical cases.
—Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 26 Mar. 2025
For a hypothetical plus-size shopper who’s been invited to a special event and wants to wear something new, her options for shopping in-person are limited.
—Virgie Tovar, Forbes, 23 Mar. 2025
For The Other To Blink Given the view in Europe that Trump is abandoning NATO in favor of the Kremlin, in a hypothetical future conflict with Russia, Europe might worry that the U.S. could cut off spare parts and updates for the F-35, Aboulafia says.
—Scott Neuman, NPR, 19 Mar. 2025
And Billups, to cite that hypothetical, might do a great job.
—Sean Keeler, The Denver Post, 19 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hypothetical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hypothetical
Noun
-
The assumption is the Wolves won’t be able to do that in each of their final five games, even with one of the league’s most favorable remaining schedules.—
Jace Frederick,
Twin Cities,
4 Apr. 2025
-
Intricate supply chains and trillions of dollars in investments—made over years based on assumptions of a world where trade barriers were being reduced or would remain constant—are now being upended.—
Steve Forbes,
Forbes.com,
4 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
To date, all changes are speculative in nature and are unlikely to be applied retroactively.—
Cindy McGhee,
Forbes.com,
8 Apr. 2025
-
These tokens illustrate how speculative assets tied to political figures can generate short-term buzz but carry significant downside for everyday buyers.—
Gordon G. Chang,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Within just a few years, Einstein would publish his theory of relativity and launch an entirely new era of physics.—
Dr. Diane Hamilton,
Forbes.com,
6 Apr. 2025
-
As with the human brain, there are a lot of theories about how AI functions.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
6 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Legacy power grids, water systems and emergency response networks are no longer theoretical.—
Marty Sprinzen,
Forbes.com,
7 Apr. 2025
-
The Dutch theoretical physicist, now a professor emeritus at Utrecht University in the Netherlands, has spent much of the past half-century reshaping our understanding of the fundamental forces that knit together reality.—
Lee Billings,
Scientific American,
7 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Part of our hypothesis is that entrepreneurs in adaptation may not even think of themselves as having an adaptation focus.—
Jamil Wyne,
Forbes.com,
8 Apr. 2025
-
However, additional analyses of data from the Women’s Health Initiative along with results from further studies pointed researchers to a theory called the timing hypothesis, which suggests that the risks and benefits of hormone therapy depend on when treatment begins.—
Matthew Nudy,
The Conversation,
4 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hypothetical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hypothetical. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share