hypothetical

adjective

hy·​po·​thet·​i·​cal ˌhī-pə-ˈthe-ti-kəl 

: involving or being based on a suggested idea or theory : being or involving a hypothesis : conjectural

hypothetical arguments

a hypothetical situation

hypothetical noun

Synonyms

• academic
• academical
• conjectural
• speculative
• suppositional
• theoretical
• theoretic

Examples of hypothetical in a Sentence

She described a hypothetical case to clarify her point.

we talked about what we would do in various hypothetical emergencies

Recent Examples on the Web

As the southern border becomes a key 2024 issue, some have begun speculating whether Abbott — whose views on immigration are in lockstep with Trump's— could find a place in the former president's hypothetical second administration. —Kyler Alvord, Peoplemag, 18 June 2024

These are no longer speculative, no longer hypothetical. —CBS News, 16 June 2024

For some, the question goes beyond the hypothetical. —Leah Dolan, CNN, 14 June 2024

The idea of misinformation increasing the risk of a nuclear war is not entirely hypothetical. —Harry Booth, TIME, 14 June 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1588, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

hypothetical

adjective

hy·​po·​thet·​i·​cal ˌhi-pə-ˈthet-i-kəl 

1

: involving a hypothesis or the making of assumptions : assumed

2

: imagined for purposes of example

a hypothetical case

hypothetically

-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb