as in hypotheses
an idea that is the starting point for making a case or conducting an investigation
set out to prove her theory that people can't really taste any difference between colas, so they buy according to the product's image
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Recent Examples of theories
In addition to being politically fraught, the plan would undoubtedly be the target of litigation under a variety of legal theories.
—
Jon Coupal, Oc Register, 15 Mar. 2026
Juergen Habermas, one of the world’s most influential philosophers whose theories on communication and rationality shaped modern intellectual thought, died at 96.
—Geir Moulson, Los Angeles Times, 14 Mar. 2026
Langmuir defined this as scientific wishful thinking, fantastic theories contrary to experience.
—Natalia Sánchez Loayza, Scientific American, 13 Mar. 2026
The show spoke to people who knew or may have last seen the 23-year-old Elgin woman, delved into theories of what might have happened to her and included a search of the Fox River — where her car and remains were ultimately found.
—Gloria Casas, Chicago Tribune, 13 Mar. 2026
Back then, Srinivas noted, a computer was the name for an astronomer’s apprentice; the underling tasked with doing the calculations to support the boss’ celestial theories.
—Alexei Oreskovic, Fortune, 12 Mar. 2026
Warner spoke at length during those interviews, shifting between theories and accusing his wife of drug use and financial misconduct.
—Corey J. Murray, USA Today, 12 Mar. 2026
By his count, there are currently 106 competing theories of consciousness.
—The Week Us, TheWeek, 11 Mar. 2026
Why, given that there were two plausible theories of the election, why did the election turn so nasty?
—David Frum, The Atlantic, 11 Mar. 2026
Jon Coupal, Oc Register, 15 Mar. 2026
Juergen Habermas, one of the world’s most influential philosophers whose theories on communication and rationality shaped modern intellectual thought, died at 96.
—Geir Moulson, Los Angeles Times, 14 Mar. 2026
Langmuir defined this as scientific wishful thinking, fantastic theories contrary to experience.
—Natalia Sánchez Loayza, Scientific American, 13 Mar. 2026
The show spoke to people who knew or may have last seen the 23-year-old Elgin woman, delved into theories of what might have happened to her and included a search of the Fox River — where her car and remains were ultimately found.
—Gloria Casas, Chicago Tribune, 13 Mar. 2026
Back then, Srinivas noted, a computer was the name for an astronomer’s apprentice; the underling tasked with doing the calculations to support the boss’ celestial theories.
—Alexei Oreskovic, Fortune, 12 Mar. 2026
Warner spoke at length during those interviews, shifting between theories and accusing his wife of drug use and financial misconduct.
—Corey J. Murray, USA Today, 12 Mar. 2026
By his count, there are currently 106 competing theories of consciousness.
—The Week Us, TheWeek, 11 Mar. 2026
Why, given that there were two plausible theories of the election, why did the election turn so nasty?
—David Frum, The Atlantic, 11 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for theories
Noun
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Police are looking at several hypotheses.—
Omer Bekin,
NBC news,
8 Mar. 2026
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The competing hypotheses, which seek to identify common traits between Little Foot and any of these species, highlight why the fossil continues to be such a rich resource of information that could contain clues to human evolution.—
Ashley Strickland,
CNN Money,
7 Mar. 2026
Noun
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In Iran, Tehran said that a projectile struck the premises of Iran’s Bushehr nuclear plant Tuesday evening, although no damage to the plant or injuries to staff were reported, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency.—
Anniek Bao,
CNBC,
18 Mar. 2026
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As penance, Prager would run the center, live on the premises and personally tend to patients for years, until the last one had died or his sentence was up.—
Jack Crosbie,
Rolling Stone,
17 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Theories.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/theories. Accessed 18 Mar. 2026.
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