as in hypothesis
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 theory
Each of the people involved in the harassment case have different theories on why Kendra sent the messages to Owen and Lauryn.
—
Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 10 Sep. 2025
What are the theories about the triangle?
—Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 10 Sep. 2025
However, study results have not proven this theory.
—Lindsay Cook, Health, 10 Sep. 2025
Throughout the late 19th and 20th centuries, most popular theories of evolution focused on male-dominated, and in many cases aggressive, activities such as hunting, fighting, toolmaking, and semen-spreading to understand our development as a species.
—Elissa Strauss, The Atlantic, 28 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for theory
Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 10 Sep. 2025
What are the theories about the triangle?
—Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 10 Sep. 2025
However, study results have not proven this theory.
—Lindsay Cook, Health, 10 Sep. 2025
Throughout the late 19th and 20th centuries, most popular theories of evolution focused on male-dominated, and in many cases aggressive, activities such as hunting, fighting, toolmaking, and semen-spreading to understand our development as a species.
—Elissa Strauss, The Atlantic, 28 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for theory
Recent Examples of Synonyms for theory
Noun
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Investigators initially had 12 hypotheses about what caused the deadly collapse, per The Miami Herald.—
Madison E. Goldberg,
PEOPLE,
10 Sep. 2025
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However, despite the appeal of this coevolution hypothesis, the evidence remains largely circumstantial.—
Pranjal Malewar,
New Atlas,
7 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Over glitchy computer beats and a light wash of synths, Bowie outlined his late-period artistic thesis.—
Jed Gottlieb,
Boston Herald,
13 Sep. 2025
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Eighteen up-and-coming designers presented five looks from their design thesis collection highlighting certain themes.—
Lisa Lockwood,
Footwear News,
10 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Theory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/theory. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.
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