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
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 one hypothetical valuation method, Neuringer suggests taking the Canal’s contribution to Panama’s $83 billion annual GDP—estimated by the Canal Authority in 2023 at between three and six percent, or roughly $2.5 billion to $5 billion—and multiplying it by the length of any deal.
—
Kyle Khan-Mullins, Forbes, 30 Jan. 2025
The scenario is far from hypothetical; there has been recent alarm in the scientific community about the potential spread of bird flu to humans.
—Clare Malone, The New Yorker, 29 Jan. 2025
Sure, Danni desperately wants to continue being with Chase, but watching two people fight about a hypothetical long-distance relationship isn’t the same as going out on a high note.
—Emma Soren, Vulture, 28 Jan. 2025
Take the hypothetical borrower who had a 4.25% interest rate on a $100,000 HELOC balance in March 2022.
—Nerdwallet, Twin Cities, 27 Jan. 2025
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Kyle Khan-Mullins, Forbes, 30 Jan. 2025
The scenario is far from hypothetical; there has been recent alarm in the scientific community about the potential spread of bird flu to humans.
—Clare Malone, The New Yorker, 29 Jan. 2025
Sure, Danni desperately wants to continue being with Chase, but watching two people fight about a hypothetical long-distance relationship isn’t the same as going out on a high note.
—Emma Soren, Vulture, 28 Jan. 2025
Take the hypothetical borrower who had a 4.25% interest rate on a $100,000 HELOC balance in March 2022.
—Nerdwallet, Twin Cities, 27 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for hypothetical
Dictionary Entries Near hypothetical
Cite this Entry
“Hypothetical.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hypothetical. Accessed 11 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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