as in theoretical
existing only as an assumption or speculation
we talked about what we would do in various hypothetical emergencies
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as in assumption
something taken as being true or factual and used as a starting point for a course of action or reasoning
believes that predictions of the extinction of certain species as the result of global warming are based upon too many hypotheticals
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Recent Examples of hypothetical
David D. Kirkpatrick, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2026
Focus on the craft in front of you without thinking of its hypothetical audience.
—Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 30 Mar. 2026
Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 21 Feb. 2026
With so many decisions to make, the Chiefs would have to get awfully creative to extend cornerback Trent McDuffie (who is entering the final year of his contract), which is why his name has floated in trade hypotheticals.
—Pete Sweeney, Kansas City Star, 5 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hypothetical
Adjective
Instead of posing questions about geography or world affairs, the test asked him to tackle hypothetical situations, from the frustrating to the dangerous.
—David D. Kirkpatrick, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2026
Focus on the craft in front of you without thinking of its hypothetical audience.
—Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 30 Mar. 2026
Noun
No more leaning on hypotheticals.
—Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 21 Feb. 2026
With so many decisions to make, the Chiefs would have to get awfully creative to extend cornerback Trent McDuffie (who is entering the final year of his contract), which is why his name has floated in trade hypotheticals.
—Pete Sweeney, Kansas City Star, 5 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hypothetical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hypothetical
Adjective
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John Preskill, a senior theoretical physicist at the university with a long history in the field of quantum error correction, advised the group.—
Quanta Magazine,
Quanta Magazine,
3 Apr. 2026
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That alone suggests Google expects quantum computing to be close enough to move from a theoretical problem to a practical one, which means other companies will almost certainly take note and follow suit.—
Alan Henry,
PC Magazine,
3 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The relief will be reviewed monthly, raising questions about how long Pretoria can absorb external pressures without reopening budget assumptions.—
Tiisetso Motsoeneng,
semafor.com,
1 Apr. 2026
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The entire fiscal architecture of the developed world rests on the assumption that capital creates jobs and workers fund the lion's share of the state.—
Ravi Kumar S,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The film’s speculative elements — monoliths accelerating human evolution — were philosophical rather than scientific.—
Samantha Agate,
Kansas City Star,
3 Apr. 2026
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Another attraction to American investors is the English game’s financial chaos, itself exacerbated by the speculative frenzy and dire stakes inherent in promotion/relegation.—
Andrés Martinez,
Fortune,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
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One theory is that ultraviolet radiation from the sun may have been the key.—
Jerome Groopman,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2026
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Priscilla Wald, who teaches about science fiction at Duke University, has a theory as to why.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
4 Apr. 2026
Noun
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From this information, scientists developed what is being called the TLPath model based on the hypothesis that modifications in the shape and structure of cells and tissues could be used to predict the length of telomeres.—
Ashley Mackin Solomon,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
30 Mar. 2026
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This is also where the viewer will likely find their assumptions or hypotheses about Floyd’s death and the guilty party (or parties) involved start sifting through their fingers like sand.—
Andy Andersen,
Vulture,
30 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hypothetical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hypothetical. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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