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 of hypothetical

• theoretical
• speculative

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

Difuntorum also addressed hypothetical scenarios of litigation involving Paul, either as a plaintiff or a defendant, though there is no strong indication that either is likely. —Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 21 Mar. 2026

To test this, a team of four scientists built a computer simulation of this hypothetical collision. —Joseph Howlett, Scientific American, 19 Mar. 2026

Infomercials slot to keep a hypothetical lonely, sleepless viewer company. —Eric Vilas-Boas, Vulture, 18 Mar. 2026

Each of Wiesner’s hypothetical quantum banknotes would contain a group of particles in different quantum states. —Ben Brubaker, Quanta Magazine, 18 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1588, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for hypothetical

• alphabetical
• antithetical
• arithmetical
• catechetical
• exegetical
• homiletical
• parenthetical
• theoretical
• aesthetical
• genetical
• heretical
• magnetical

Kids 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

hypothetically

-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb