what-if

noun

ˌ(h)wät-ˈif,
ˌ(h)wət- How to pronounce what-if (audio)
: a suppositional question
what-if adjective

Examples of what-if in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Truth be told, what-if’s are the survival brain in action. Bryan Robinson, Forbes, 7 Sep. 2024 Another economic what-if: What if the Fed has ended up waiting too long to cut rates? Susan Tompor, Detroit Free Press, 5 Aug. 2024 With the draft, the what-if game is one that swings both ways. Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 24 June 2024 The news that King Charles III has some kind of cancer has triggered legions of what-if questions on both sides of the Atlantic. Marco Della Cava, USA TODAY, 14 Feb. 2024 See all Example Sentences for what-if 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'what-if.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1970, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of what-if was in 1970

Dictionary Entries Near what-if

Cite this Entry

“What-if.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/what-if. Accessed 5 Oct. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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