hypothetical
adjective
hy·po·thet·i·cal
ˌhī-pə-ˈthe-ti-kəl 
: involving or being based on a suggested idea or theory : being or involving a hypothesis : conjectural
hypothetical arguments
a hypothetical situation
hypothetical
noun
Synonyms
Examples of hypothetical in a Sentence
She described a hypothetical case to clarify her point.
we talked about what we would do in various hypothetical emergencies
Recent Examples on the Web
City officials previously met in closed session in January 2023 to discuss a $1.2 billion hypothetical project for stadium improvements using $600 million in public money, Charlotte Observer news partner WSOC previously reported.
—
Mary Ramsey and, Charlotte Observer, 3 June 2024
In a string of recent papers, researchers have shown that most cryptographic tasks could still be accomplished securely even in hypothetical worlds where practically all computation is easy.
—Ben Brubaker, Quanta Magazine, 3 June 2024
Though pre-verdict polling was inconsistent and was based on a hypothetical outcome, a survey in early May from the Democratic firm Navigator suggested the conviction could alter views of Mr. Trump.
—Nicholas Nehamas, New York Times, 1 June 2024
While the aforementioned figures could fluctuate now that a felony conviction is a reality rather than a hypothetical, little has shaken the stranglehold Trump has on the Republican Party.
—Averi Harper, ABC News, 30 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for hypothetical 
Mary Ramsey and, Charlotte Observer, 3 June 2024
In a string of recent papers, researchers have shown that most cryptographic tasks could still be accomplished securely even in hypothetical worlds where practically all computation is easy.
—Ben Brubaker, Quanta Magazine, 3 June 2024
Though pre-verdict polling was inconsistent and was based on a hypothetical outcome, a survey in early May from the Democratic firm Navigator suggested the conviction could alter views of Mr. Trump.
—Nicholas Nehamas, New York Times, 1 June 2024
While the aforementioned figures could fluctuate now that a felony conviction is a reality rather than a hypothetical, little has shaken the stranglehold Trump has on the Republican Party.
—Averi Harper, ABC News, 30 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for hypothetical
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'hypothetical.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near hypothetical
Cite this Entry
“Hypothetical.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hypothetical. Accessed 13 Jun. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
hypothetical
adjective
hy·po·thet·i·cal
ˌhi-pə-ˈthet-i-kəl
1
: involving a hypothesis or the making of assumptions : assumed
2
: imagined for purposes of example
a hypothetical case
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