hypothetically
adverb
hy·po·thet·i·cal·ly
ˌhī-pə-ˈthe-ti-k(ə-)lē 
: by making an assumption for the sake of discussion or argument : in a hypothetical way
speaking hypothetically
In this lucid report … he uses genetic differences, maps, computer simulations and an analysis of linguistic changes in the world's languages to hypothetically reconstruct the mass migrations of people across continents since modern humans first appeared.—
Genevieve Stuttaford
Genevieve StuttafordWe asked ourselves hypothetically: If the chairmen of the boards of these major tobacco companies walked in here today and said, "Okay, we're ready to do a deal," what did we want?—Lewis H. Lapham
—used to suggest what is theoretically possibleLewis H. LaphamHypothetically, you could use a computer to synthesize a large number of harmonics, add them back together, and reproduce a sound similar to that of the bowed violin string.—Dragan Huterer
Dragan HutererExamples of hypothetically in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Two distinct but related philosophical concepts are relevant when discussing the status of a hypothetically conscious Claude, and those are moral patienthood and moral agency.
—Ted Chiang, The Atlantic, 3 June 2026
That means that, hypothetically, California voters could only see two Democratic candidates on the November ballot—or only two Republican candidates, though the latter is less likely in the historically blue state.
—Chantelle Lee, Time, 1 June 2026
The return of Foley, who has made six rehab appearances, should hypothetically help as well.
—Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 30 May 2026
Even, hypothetically, Hunter Biden could also make a plea for restitution, Vance said.
—Corky Siemaszko, NBC news, 27 May 2026
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Ted Chiang, The Atlantic, 3 June 2026
That means that, hypothetically, California voters could only see two Democratic candidates on the November ballot—or only two Republican candidates, though the latter is less likely in the historically blue state.
—Chantelle Lee, Time, 1 June 2026
The return of Foley, who has made six rehab appearances, should hypothetically help as well.
—Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 30 May 2026
Even, hypothetically, Hunter Biden could also make a plea for restitution, Vance said.
—Corky Siemaszko, NBC news, 27 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for hypothetically
Cite this Entry
“Hypothetically.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hypothetically. Accessed 9 Jun. 2026.
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