1
as in assumption
something taken as being true or factual and used as a starting point for a course of action or reasoning
your conclusion may turn out to be accurate, but you're postulating a lot of ifs
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in condition
something upon which the carrying out of an agreement or offer depends
there are a number of ifs in the proposal
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of if
The new strategy means the doc fix happens only if Republicans can get a reconciliation package across the finish line — a big if.
—
Peter Sullivan, Axios, 11 Mar. 2025
The question about Running Point getting a season 2 is not really an if, but a when.
—Paul Tassi, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2025
There is an if here, in other words.
—Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 26 Feb. 2025
That’s a big if, needless to say.
—Willing Davidson, The New Yorker, 23 Feb. 2025
If all goes well—and this is a huge if, Gialich readily acknowledges—Odin will fly by its target asteroid 301 days later.
—Jonathan M. Gitlin, Ars Technica, 29 Jan. 2025
There was an if-not-now-then-when feeling in Buffalo this week.
—Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 27 Jan. 2025
New experimental and theoretical results, new tools and private sector investment are all adding to our growing sense that developing practical fusion energy is no longer an if but a when.
—Farhat Beg, The Conversation, 8 Jan. 2025
Yes, derivatives can pay off on all sorts of inflationary outcomes (if the counterparty is solvent enough to pay—a big if).
—James Berman, Forbes, 6 Jan. 2025
Peter Sullivan, Axios, 11 Mar. 2025
The question about Running Point getting a season 2 is not really an if, but a when.
—Paul Tassi, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2025
There is an if here, in other words.
—Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 26 Feb. 2025
That’s a big if, needless to say.
—Willing Davidson, The New Yorker, 23 Feb. 2025
If all goes well—and this is a huge if, Gialich readily acknowledges—Odin will fly by its target asteroid 301 days later.
—Jonathan M. Gitlin, Ars Technica, 29 Jan. 2025
There was an if-not-now-then-when feeling in Buffalo this week.
—Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 27 Jan. 2025
New experimental and theoretical results, new tools and private sector investment are all adding to our growing sense that developing practical fusion energy is no longer an if but a when.
—Farhat Beg, The Conversation, 8 Jan. 2025
Yes, derivatives can pay off on all sorts of inflationary outcomes (if the counterparty is solvent enough to pay—a big if).
—James Berman, Forbes, 6 Jan. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for if
Noun
-
The assumption is that the Best Music Festival will provide the best music, but the title mainly means that the festival was put together by Best Video, the landmark video store and cultural center in Hamden.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
2 Aug. 2025
-
The assumption is clear enough: Firms that pay slowly are presumed to be financially weak, and those that pay on time are considered financially strong.—
Charlie Minutella,
Forbes.com,
1 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Farrer acknowledged challenging economic conditions and trade uncertainties but expressed confidence in the company's long-term success.—
Olivia Evans,
The Courier-Journal,
25 July 2025
-
Containment efforts might be challenging, especially in dry and windy conditions, as such wildfire tends to spread rapidly.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
24 July 2025
Noun
-
But Margulis took her theory further; in her view, symbiosis was the driving force of evolution, and many entities were likely composites.—
Zoë Schlanger,
The Atlantic,
23 July 2025
-
But they have long been stuck between theory and the promise of commercialization in the next five to 10 years.—
Yeo Boon Ping,
CNBC,
22 July 2025
Noun
-
Buried in the July 4 tax overhaul, formally titled the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, was a provision that’s quickly catching the attention of CFOs and business owners across industries: the full return of 100% bonus depreciation.—
Karla Dennis,
Forbes.com,
31 July 2025
-
That provision was repealed earlier this year as part of a sweeping immigration bill signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis.—
Garrett Shanley,
Miami Herald,
30 July 2025
Noun
-
Yes, this son of Curlin is the class of the field, but in this game, there are no givens.—
Danny Brewer,
Forbes.com,
16 July 2025
-
Assuming the roster gets back to full health, the givens ahead of Pelle in the rotation would be Tyler Herro, Bam Adebayo, Kel’el Ware, Andrew Wiggins and, perhaps, Davion Mitchell.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
2 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
The reasons for dropping these new tax disclosure requirements appear to be self-serving for large multinational corporations who might wish to keep this information confidential.—
Nathan Goldman,
Forbes.com,
1 Aug. 2025
-
Travelers should carefully review the entry requirements as the repercussions for not following the rules could end in tragedy.—
Michael Cappetta,
Travel + Leisure,
1 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
The stipulation is one of the terms of the Deferred Prosecution Agreement that was reached.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
25 July 2025
-
The one stipulation that Olney reported was that the Royals were unwilling to part with the core of their pitching staff.—
Hunter Mulholland,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 July 2025
Noun
-
One of the legislative wins for Texas conservatives last year was the passing of Senate Bill 17, the nation's second anti-DEI law that banned DEI programs, staff, offices and hiring at Texas public universities but had exceptions for academic courses, research and student groups.—
Lily Kepner,
Austin American Statesman,
30 July 2025
-
As part of the deal reached in Scotland between President Donald Trump and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Europe agreed to accept 15% import tariffs on most goods, with exceptions.—
Zach Halaschak,
The Washington Examiner,
29 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“If.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/if. Accessed 5 Aug. 2025.
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