as in theoretical
existing only as an assumption or speculation
we talked about what we would do in various hypothetical emergencies
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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Recent Examples of hypothetical
Brittany Allen,
Literary Hub,
25 June 2026
These are not hypothetical concerns.
—
Yunus Emre Tozal,
Chicago Tribune,
25 June 2026
Arkansas Online,
24 Mar. 2026
In the view of the Department of Defense, Anthropic kneecapped the partnership by insisting on unnecessary guardrails, attempting to litigate specific hypotheticals, and then dragging its feet in the subsequent negotiations.
—
Harry Booth,
Time,
11 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hypothetical
Adjective
And unlike the Bennets, the Dashwood girls’ troubles are not hypothetical.
—
Brittany Allen,
Literary Hub,
25 June 2026
These are not hypothetical concerns.
—
Yunus Emre Tozal,
Chicago Tribune,
25 June 2026
Noun
The conservative justices peppered Stewart with hypotheticals.
—
Arkansas Online,
24 Mar. 2026
In the view of the Department of Defense, Anthropic kneecapped the partnership by insisting on unnecessary guardrails, attempting to litigate specific hypotheticals, and then dragging its feet in the subsequent negotiations.
—
Harry Booth,
Time,
11 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hypothetical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hypothetical
Adjective
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Just as hedgehogs deplore foxes for a lack of theoretical ambition, foxes spend their time screaming at hedgehogs for missing this or that eloquent detail.
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The researchers found that the measurements matched theoretical calculations, thereby serving as evidence that thorium atoms can bind with each other.
Noun
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The brand positions the fabric and fit as its answer to the old assumption that hemp-heavy shirts could not feel comfortable enough for everyday wear.
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This morning favors gentle starts and better listening, while the afternoon asks us to slow replies, check assumptions, and make our tone easier to understand.
Adjective
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Every speculative boom eventually ends.
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The next presidential election is more than two years away, but a speculative roster of names for both major parties has already emerged, with Newsom near the top of the list for the Democrats.
Noun
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At a moment when technology companies were promising to bring people closer together, David Fincher’s acerbic drama about the founding of Facebook had a darker theory about why people wanted to connect in the first place.
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Susan Brands has a theory for why people come out of the woodwork seeking handouts from lottery winners.
Noun
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The interest rate hypothesis points the wrong direction — the most rate-sensitive occupations, like construction, have the lowest AI exposure.
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Science is designed to estimate risk, test hypotheses, identify patterns, and reduce the likelihood of false causal inference.
Cite this Entry
“Hypothetical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hypothetical. Accessed 2 Jul. 2026.
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