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
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
These aren’t hypothetical scenarios, but active use cases in pilot programs around the world.
—
Kolawole Samuel Adebayo, Forbes.com, 25 Apr. 2025
A lot was still hypothetical, imagined and hopeful about what could be.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 23 Apr. 2025
Others are more exotic, relying on hypothetical forms of dark matter that could convert into radiation in the early, heady days of the universe.
—Paul Sutter, Space.com, 21 Apr. 2025
The Enneagram, with its nine types that categorize our personalities based on a series of questions and hypothetical scenarios, provides a clear and predictable roadmap to a person’s motivation and corresponding behavior.
—Ronny Maye, Essence, 21 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hypothetical
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Kolawole Samuel Adebayo, Forbes.com, 25 Apr. 2025
A lot was still hypothetical, imagined and hopeful about what could be.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 23 Apr. 2025
Others are more exotic, relying on hypothetical forms of dark matter that could convert into radiation in the early, heady days of the universe.
—Paul Sutter, Space.com, 21 Apr. 2025
The Enneagram, with its nine types that categorize our personalities based on a series of questions and hypothetical scenarios, provides a clear and predictable roadmap to a person’s motivation and corresponding behavior.
—Ronny Maye, Essence, 21 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hypothetical
Cite this Entry
“Hypothetical.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hypothetical. Accessed 1 May. 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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