hypothetical 1 of 2

adjective

ˌhī-pə-ˈthe-ti-kəl How to pronounce hypothetical (audio)
Definition of hypotheticalnext
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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hypothetical

2 of 2

noun

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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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of hypothetical
Adjective
Other areas of medicine show why this concern is not hypothetical. — Jeff Berry, STAT, 21 Aug. 2026 When faced with a hypothetical scenario of a person losing their job, for example, conservatives are more likely to assume that the person was a poor performer, rather than that the company had financial problems. — Olga Khazan, The Atlantic, 20 Aug. 2026
Noun
Maybe my innocent hypothetical would soon become very real. — Steven Rowley, PEOPLE, 3 June 2026 Families confronting complicated pregnancies are living through painful, high-stakes situations — not policy hypotheticals. — Robin Sautter, Washington Post, 18 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for hypothetical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hypothetical
  1. theoretical
  2. assumption
  3. speculative
  4. theory
  5. hypothesis
Adjective
  • There is a theoretical possibility that a team taking too long over five simultaneous substitutions could be forced to play with six for a while, which could be fun.
    — Graham Scott, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Errors reach combat The risks are no longer purely theoretical.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of theoretical
Noun
  • Friedman's research tested these assumptions directly, and nearly all of them failed.
    — Rodger Dean Duncan, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026
  • But the photos also struck a chord as a defiant spin on assumptions and expectations for women at 60.
    — Julia Teti, Footwear News, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of assumption
Adjective
  • Lately, that kind of existential threat — where once-vanquished viruses make a devastating comeback — is no longer speculative, nor hard to imagine.
    — Eli Cahan, Rolling Stone, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Overall, speculative positions against the yen, however, have declined.
    — Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of speculative
Noun
  • These theories spreading online, one expert says, stem from people’s struggles to find a fulfilling explanation for what has happened.
    — Rebekah Riess, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2026
  • Heck, for instance, studies how discrepancy theory can be applied to improve large language models and other machine learning systems.
    — Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of theory
Noun
  • The elaborate decorations could support that hypothesis, officials said.
    — Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 24 Aug. 2026
  • Their hypothesis was confirmed when footage of a Ying Yang Twins performance went viral in 2025.
    — Kailyn Brown, Los Angeles Times, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of hypothesis

Browse Nearby Words

hypothesizing
hypothetical
hypotheticals
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Cite this Entry

“Hypothetical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hypothetical. Accessed 27 Aug. 2026.

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