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
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Recent Examples of if
So which team has best chance of actually winning?
Keeler: Deion Sanders taking CU Buffs to College Football Playoff feels like when, not an if.
—
Sean Keeler, The Denver Post, 10 Dec. 2024
There’s no if’s, and’s or but’s about it: the Rangers can’t waste this opportunity against a tanking opponent.
—Shawn McFarland, Dallas News, 6 Sep. 2023
There’s no questions or ifs or buts, that is the end of it.
—Herb Scribner, Washington Post, 9 Aug. 2023
But still, they should be haunted by the if-onlys.
—Walter Shapiro, The New Republic, 9 Feb. 2023
As a result, discontent with the manager is growing, and with a 7 ½-month gap between the end of qualifying and the start of this fall’s World Cup in Qatar, this would be the time to make a change - if, indeed, a change is coming.
—Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 29 Mar. 2022
On Monday, Circa Sports posted Georgia as a 3-point favorite - with the over/under at 50.5 - if, or when, the Tide clinches the SEC West.
—Mark Heim | Mheim@al.com, al, 15 Nov. 2021
OOF: If the Senate manages to pass its health-care bill -- and that's a mammoth IF -- the House seems ready to give it the nod, too, my colleague Paul Kane writes.
—Paige Winfield Cunningham, Washington Post, 17 July 2017
But if all goes as planned – a big IF in the restaurant business –
—Mark Kurlyandchik, Detroit Free Press, 12 July 2017
Sean Keeler, The Denver Post, 10 Dec. 2024
There’s no if’s, and’s or but’s about it: the Rangers can’t waste this opportunity against a tanking opponent.
—Shawn McFarland, Dallas News, 6 Sep. 2023
There’s no questions or ifs or buts, that is the end of it.
—Herb Scribner, Washington Post, 9 Aug. 2023
But still, they should be haunted by the if-onlys.
—Walter Shapiro, The New Republic, 9 Feb. 2023
As a result, discontent with the manager is growing, and with a 7 ½-month gap between the end of qualifying and the start of this fall’s World Cup in Qatar, this would be the time to make a change - if, indeed, a change is coming.
—Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 29 Mar. 2022
On Monday, Circa Sports posted Georgia as a 3-point favorite - with the over/under at 50.5 - if, or when, the Tide clinches the SEC West.
—Mark Heim | Mheim@al.com, al, 15 Nov. 2021
OOF: If the Senate manages to pass its health-care bill -- and that's a mammoth IF -- the House seems ready to give it the nod, too, my colleague Paul Kane writes.
—Paige Winfield Cunningham, Washington Post, 17 July 2017
But if all goes as planned – a big IF in the restaurant business –
—Mark Kurlyandchik, Detroit Free Press, 12 July 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for if
Noun
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But the officials and victims assembled in the Situation Room considered whether this assumption was really valid.Shane Harris, The Atlantic, 10 Jan. 2025
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This archetype is essential in a world where assumptions often go unchallenged, stifling creativity and growth.Chris Schembra, Rolling Stone, 10 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Despite months of efforts and good-faith proposals from the union, management has consistently stalled progress and made unilateral demands on working conditions.Greg Evans, Deadline, 13 Jan. 2025
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The National Weather Service issued red flag warnings for severe fire conditions through Wednesday, with sustained winds of 50 mph and gusts in the mountains reaching 70 mph.DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE STAFF FROM WIRE REPORTS, arkansasonline.com, 13 Jan. 2025
Noun
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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
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One longtime, highly successful coach has a theory about what has helped McDermott evolve professionally.Joe Buscaglia, The Athletic, 10 Jan. 2025
Noun
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The elimination of the provisions in many ways simplifies retirement income planning for affected beneficiaries, financial advisors say.Lorie Konish, CNBC, 8 Jan. 2025
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While that provision did not extend to Americans covered by private insurance plans, three major insulin makers slashed prices by 70% or more on their respective products.Ken Alltucker, USA TODAY, 8 Jan. 2025
Noun
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There are some givens in the B’s lineup, as long as there’s good health.Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 26 Sep. 2024
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About the only givens seemingly would be Bam Adebayo making first-team All-Defense for the first time, after second-team such nods the past four seasons, and Jaime Jaquez Jr. making first-team All-Rookie.Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 13 Apr. 2024
Noun
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In 2025 and beyond, successful ERP customization will increasingly depend on balancing industry-specific needs with scalability requirements.Andrei Kasyanau, Forbes, 9 Jan. 2025
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Discovery in February over their requirement that Fubo carry dozens of non-sports channels as a condition to offer sports networks as well as those companies’ plan to launch a new competitor, Venu Sports.Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 8 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Without that auto-bye stipulation, the Big Ten and SEC title games would have featured four teams with byes already locked up, dropping the stakes.Chris Vannini, The Athletic, 17 Jan. 2025
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But these calls have been met with backlash from both Democrats and Republicans in California, who argue that states typically get funding without any political stipulations.Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 16 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Cohen is obviously fully on board with Stearns’ philosophy of limiting free agent deals to three years or fewer (the Soto contract of course being the notable exception).Bill Madden, New York Daily News, 18 Jan. 2025
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With one exception … Level 9: The Deserter This is the owner who wants to move the team.Sean McIndoe, The Athletic, 17 Jan. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“If.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/if. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.
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