1
as in assumption
something taken as being true or factual and used as a starting point for a course of action or reasoning
your conclusion may turn out to be accurate, but you're postulating a lot of ifs
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in condition
something upon which the carrying out of an agreement or offer depends
there are a number of ifs in the proposal
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of if
The new strategy means the doc fix happens only if Republicans can get a reconciliation package across the finish line — a big if.
—
Peter Sullivan, Axios, 11 Mar. 2025
The question about Running Point getting a season 2 is not really an if, but a when.
—Paul Tassi, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2025
There is an if here, in other words.
—Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 26 Feb. 2025
That’s a big if, needless to say.
—Willing Davidson, The New Yorker, 23 Feb. 2025
If all goes well—and this is a huge if, Gialich readily acknowledges—Odin will fly by its target asteroid 301 days later.
—Jonathan M. Gitlin, Ars Technica, 29 Jan. 2025
There was an if-not-now-then-when feeling in Buffalo this week.
—Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 27 Jan. 2025
New experimental and theoretical results, new tools and private sector investment are all adding to our growing sense that developing practical fusion energy is no longer an if but a when.
—Farhat Beg, The Conversation, 8 Jan. 2025
Yes, derivatives can pay off on all sorts of inflationary outcomes (if the counterparty is solvent enough to pay—a big if).
—James Berman, Forbes, 6 Jan. 2025
Peter Sullivan, Axios, 11 Mar. 2025
The question about Running Point getting a season 2 is not really an if, but a when.
—Paul Tassi, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2025
There is an if here, in other words.
—Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 26 Feb. 2025
That’s a big if, needless to say.
—Willing Davidson, The New Yorker, 23 Feb. 2025
If all goes well—and this is a huge if, Gialich readily acknowledges—Odin will fly by its target asteroid 301 days later.
—Jonathan M. Gitlin, Ars Technica, 29 Jan. 2025
There was an if-not-now-then-when feeling in Buffalo this week.
—Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 27 Jan. 2025
New experimental and theoretical results, new tools and private sector investment are all adding to our growing sense that developing practical fusion energy is no longer an if but a when.
—Farhat Beg, The Conversation, 8 Jan. 2025
Yes, derivatives can pay off on all sorts of inflationary outcomes (if the counterparty is solvent enough to pay—a big if).
—James Berman, Forbes, 6 Jan. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for if
Noun
-
Courts are also increasingly scrutinizing environmental claims—down to the assumptions behind individual offsets.—
Felicia Jackson,
Forbes.com,
3 June 2025
-
Mass incarceration, which swept the country in the late twentieth century, rested on the assumption that a person spoiling for a fight with another person was weighing costs: that the difference between ten years and twenty-five would matter.—
Malcolm Gladwell,
New Yorker,
2 June 2025
Noun
-
Mosquitoes may be coming to you As temperatures rise in numerous parts of the world, researchers have been fairly convinced that mosquitoes seeking warmer conditions will settle in previously uninhabitable areas.—
Janet Loehrke,
USA Today,
25 May 2025
-
His official cause of death was acute hypoxic respiratory failure, which is a condition where the lungs aren't able to release enough oxygen into the bloodstream.—
Keith Langston,
People.com,
25 May 2025
Noun
-
Russian sources, however, have suggested a third theory: that Portnov might have held compromising material on current Ukrainian officials.—
Katya Soldak,
Forbes.com,
24 May 2025
-
But as hardcore Swift fans know, popular theories don’t always play out in real life.—
Kimberly Roots,
TVLine,
23 May 2025
Noun
-
Beyond the potential impact on foreign direct investment in the U.S. overall, certain provision of the OBB may have a broader impact, especially affecting common asset protection and wealth planning strategies.—
Priya Prakash Royal Esq. LL.M. MBA AEP TEP,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2025
-
At the time, the contractual provision looked like a potential escape valve if the former New England Patriots head coach wanted to return to the NFL.—
Matt Baker,
New York Times,
31 May 2025
Noun
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Assuming the roster gets back to full health, the givens ahead of Pelle in the rotation would be Tyler Herro, Bam Adebayo, Kel’el Ware, Andrew Wiggins and, perhaps, Davion Mitchell.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
2 Apr. 2025
-
There are some givens in the B’s lineup, as long as there’s good health.—
Steve Conroy,
Boston Herald,
26 Sep. 2024
Noun
-
During their last meeting in May, both countries agreed to exchange their requirements for a ceasefire.—
Jade Walker,
CNN Money,
2 June 2025
-
The requirement to check in 60 minutes before an international flight remains unchanged.—
Dennis Green,
AFAR Media,
2 June 2025
Noun
-
Shortly before the vote, then-National League President Bart Giamatti called Mayor Eugene Sawyer and informed him Chicago had been selected as the 1990 All-Star site under the stipulation the city council approved the lights measure.—
Paul Sullivan,
Chicago Tribune,
25 May 2025
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Various pills tested positive for MDMA, alprazolam, ketamine and methamphetamine, according to the stipulation.—
Nicki Brown,
CNN Money,
21 May 2025
Noun
-
The exception was fourth-round receiver Jordan Watkins, who caught three passes — two from Purdy — in the practice.—
Matt Barrows,
New York Times,
30 May 2025
-
This law has been in place since 2014 and applies statewide, with exceptions for roles where background checks are mandated by statute.—
Alonzo Martinez,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“If.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/if. Accessed 6 Jun. 2025.
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