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 of hypothetical
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
Responsibility is a group effort For Ahmet Öksüz, chairman of the Istanbul Textile and Raw Materials Exporters Association, the need for systemic transformation is no longer some future-facing hypothetical, but rather an existential imperative that demands both innovation and conscience.
—
Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 13 Feb. 2026
Diplo also envisions a hypothetical race with Barker, Gunna and Jelly Roll, with the winner getting $100,000 to give to his favorite charity.
—Katie Bain, Billboard, 11 Feb. 2026
In a video currently sitting at over 72,000 views, one user lists off reasons not to be picked as part of a hypothetical application for the program.
—Kate Perez, USA Today, 11 Feb. 2026
In public opinion polls, Rayner places well ahead of Starmer and appears neck-and-neck with Reform UK’s Nigel Farage in a hypothetical election.
—Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hypothetical
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Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 13 Feb. 2026
Diplo also envisions a hypothetical race with Barker, Gunna and Jelly Roll, with the winner getting $100,000 to give to his favorite charity.
—Katie Bain, Billboard, 11 Feb. 2026
In a video currently sitting at over 72,000 views, one user lists off reasons not to be picked as part of a hypothetical application for the program.
—Kate Perez, USA Today, 11 Feb. 2026
In public opinion polls, Rayner places well ahead of Starmer and appears neck-and-neck with Reform UK’s Nigel Farage in a hypothetical election.
—Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hypothetical
Cite this Entry
“Hypothetical.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hypothetical. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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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