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
Taylor Swift's company Taylor Nation launched a new archive section on her website, sparking fan theories about new music.
—
Bryan West, USA Today, 21 July 2025
This theory would have no blind spots—all calculations should yield meaningful results.
—Charlie Wood, Wired News, 20 July 2025
On Tuesday afternoon, when a reporter attempted to ask Bondi about the foreign-intelligence theory and the video-clock issue, Trump cut in.
—Kaitlyn Tiffany, The Atlantic, 10 July 2025
With the biggest advocate for the impact theory gone, the mystery has lingered for decades.
—Mike Bezemek, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for theory
Bryan West, USA Today, 21 July 2025
This theory would have no blind spots—all calculations should yield meaningful results.
—Charlie Wood, Wired News, 20 July 2025
On Tuesday afternoon, when a reporter attempted to ask Bondi about the foreign-intelligence theory and the video-clock issue, Trump cut in.
—Kaitlyn Tiffany, The Atlantic, 10 July 2025
With the biggest advocate for the impact theory gone, the mystery has lingered for decades.
—Mike Bezemek, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for theory
Recent Examples of Synonyms for theory
Noun
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The findings back up a hypothesis that had been put forward by Beasley’s coauthor John Speth, an anthropologist at the University of Michigan, who has for nearly a decade argued that putrid meat and fish would have formed a key part of prehistoric diets.—
Katie Hunt,
CNN Money,
25 July 2025
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Their hypothesis is that a drop in vehicle bug splatter signals a decline in the insect population.—
Adeel Hassan,
New York Times,
23 July 2025
Noun
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In an interview with Fortune Intelligence, Turchin said this theory makes sense and fits with his thesis when presented with the similarities.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
26 July 2025
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His thesis was that a network of sensors designed to capture rich and relevant micro-climate data could be used to provide live information that would empower responders to make the best timely decisions during a crisis.—
Dr. Jonathan Reichental,
Forbes.com,
25 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Theory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/theory. Accessed 2 Aug. 2025.
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