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
Examples 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
Ars Technica, 6 Jan. 2025
What position do people anticipate Alex Bregman playing in Years 3 thru 6 or 7 on a hypothetical free agent deal?
—Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 5 Jan. 2025
Rymer even put together a hypothetical package that could make sense for both sides.
—Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 1 Jan. 2025
While the exact rules of the Game of 20 generally remain unknown, researchers have previously proposed some hypothetical rules for one variant—the Ur game.
—Newsweek, 20 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for hypothetical 
Adjective
Superintelligence is an industry term for a hypothetical AI model that could far surpass human intelligence.
—Ars Technica, 6 Jan. 2025
What position do people anticipate Alex Bregman playing in Years 3 thru 6 or 7 on a hypothetical free agent deal?
—Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 5 Jan. 2025
Rymer even put together a hypothetical package that could make sense for both sides.
—Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 1 Jan. 2025
While the exact rules of the Game of 20 generally remain unknown, researchers have previously proposed some hypothetical rules for one variant—the Ur game.
—Newsweek, 20 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for hypothetical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hypothetical
Noun
-
Humans will glance at another human and make a broad assumption about the emotional state of that person by merely observing their face.Lance Eliot, Forbes, 10 Jan. 2025
-
But the officials and victims assembled in the Situation Room considered whether this assumption was really valid.Shane Harris, The Atlantic, 10 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
The two sides will stop fighting for 42 days, with the aim (again, speculative) of making that cease-fire permanent and ending the war.Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 16 Jan. 2025
-
The funding was made by California Jobs First as part of a larger pool of $600 million created by the state in 2021 to help create jobs and prevent a wave of property acquisitions by speculative investors.Pat Maio, Orange County Register, 15 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
The previous truth exists as a thorough rejection of modern economic theory promoted by individuals within the Keynesian, monetarist, and Austrian schools.John Tamny, Forbes, 12 Jan. 2025
-
One longtime, highly successful coach has a theory about what has helped McDermott evolve professionally.Joe Buscaglia, The Athletic, 10 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
The theoretical matchups fans anticipated during the offseason are finally starting to play out on the court, adding a new wrinkle to the traditional rivalries of league play.Sabreena Merchant, The Athletic, 6 Jan. 2025
-
Each year, the Robot – a naïve stock-picking paradigm, generates a theoretical portfolio of ten very unpopular stocks.John Dorfman, Forbes, 6 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Previous observations suggested that these permanent shadows might host frozen water, an exciting hypothesis that the BepiColombo mission is set to investigate further.Margherita Bassi, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 Jan. 2025
-
Some of Oppenheimer’s hypothesis may already be becoming reality.Alex Harring, CNBC, 10 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near hypothetical
Cite this Entry
“Hypothetical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hypothetical. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share