as in theoretic
existing only as an assumption or speculation
we talked about what we would do in various hypothetical emergencies
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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
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Recent Examples of hypothetical
Michael Irving, New Atlas, 5 Dec. 2024
Interestingly, though, that's a more divided reaction than a previous YouGov poll showed back in September 2023, when the idea of a Hunter Biden pardon was completely hypothetical.
—Nathaniel Rakich, ABC News, 5 Dec. 2024
So our icebreaker for the show or within the show will be a hypothetical.
—Okla Jones, Essence, 4 Dec. 2024
For example, say your hypothetical mortgage payment is $2,500 while your rent is $2,000, Williams said.
—Ana Teresa Solá, CNBC, 26 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for hypothetical 
Adjective
Unlike regular black holes, which are born from the collapse of massive stars, primordial black holes are hypothetical objects created soon after the Big Bang.
—Michael Irving, New Atlas, 5 Dec. 2024
Interestingly, though, that's a more divided reaction than a previous YouGov poll showed back in September 2023, when the idea of a Hunter Biden pardon was completely hypothetical.
—Nathaniel Rakich, ABC News, 5 Dec. 2024
So our icebreaker for the show or within the show will be a hypothetical.
—Okla Jones, Essence, 4 Dec. 2024
For example, say your hypothetical mortgage payment is $2,500 while your rent is $2,000, Williams said.
—Ana Teresa Solá, CNBC, 26 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for hypothetical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hypothetical
Noun
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This potential harm stems from two untested assumptions: 1.Gregory Francis, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024
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Cramer examined why each stock saw gains, attributing some of their recent successes to the assumption that President-elect Donald Trump’s new regulators will largely abandon efforts to curb big business’ power.Julie Coleman, CNBC, 11 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Cox had a reputation for yelling slurs at girls out of the window of his Chevy, an unsavory fact that ballooned into motive in speculative conversations.Jessica Garrison, Los Angeles Times, 18 Dec. 2024
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Some states such as Maryland passed laws recently to completely outlaw speculative tickets.Ethan Millman, Rolling Stone, 17 Dec. 2024
Noun
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But when a 14-year-old girl was found dead soon after in the same manner, this time without cocaine in her system, police began to question the theory.Shira Moolten, Sun Sentinel, 13 Dec. 2024
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This idea that collaborative learning is a propulsive force is much more than a theory based on my nerdy friends.Kevin Kruse, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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But unlike the 2023 interview, the topics Welker brought up and Trump's response to them are no longer theoretical campaign promises.Bill Goodykoontz, The Arizona Republic, 8 Dec. 2024
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Such a sweeping act of clemency covering even theoretical crimes over the course of a decade went beyond the scope of any since at least the Watergate era, when President Gerald R. Ford pardoned his disgraced predecessor, Richard M. Nixon, for any crimes even though he had not been charged.Peter Baker, New York Times, 6 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Jena, Worsham, and Bray's hypothesis in their new study is pretty simple: Halloween is exciting for kids and their displays of that excitement in the doctor's office on the holiday could increase the likelihood that doctors diagnose them with ADHD.Greg Rosalsky, NPR, 17 Dec. 2024
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The hypothesis suggests that during a major volcanic eruption, a large portion of the western flank of Cumbre Vieja could collapse into the Atlantic Ocean.Monica Mercuri, Forbes, 17 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near hypothetical
Cite this Entry
“Hypothetical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hypothetical. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.
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