hypothesize

verb

hy·​poth·​e·​size hī-ˈpä-thə-ˌsīz 

hypothesized; hypothesizing

intransitive verb

: to make a hypothesis

transitive verb

: to adopt as a hypothesis

Synonyms

• say
• assume
• presume
• believe
• think

Examples of hypothesize in a Sentence

Psychologists hypothesized that his odd behavior was caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain.

if we hypothesize that current population trends continue for the next 50 years

Recent Examples on the Web

The research team hypothesized that the 3D shape of regions of the genome influences how genes are regulated. —Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 July 2025

Researchers hypothesized a handful of factors that could play into the orcas’ gift-giving behavior. —Brendan Rascius july 2, Miami Herald, 2 July 2025

Pundits in Argentina hypothesized that Messi would consider leaving MLS for a more competitive league. —Felipe Cardenas, New York Times, 3 July 2025

Mathematicians soon hypothesized that as your set gets bigger, the biggest sum-free subsets will get much larger than N/3. —Leila Sloman, Wired News, 29 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1738, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Rhymes for hypothesize

• actualize
• antagonize
• apologise
• apologize
• capitalize
• categorize
• characterize
• commercialize
• conceptualize
• contrariwise
• criminalize
• decentralize

Kids Definition

hypothesize

verb

hy·​poth·​e·​size hī-ˈpäth-ə-ˌsīz 

hypothesized; hypothesizing

1

: to make a hypothesis

2

: to adopt as a hypothesis