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

• assume
• hypothecate
• postulate
• premise
• presume
• presuppose
• say
• suppose

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

At the time, officials hypothesized that the new geyser could someday outshine the park’s more popular destinations. —Frederick Dreier, Outside Online, 15 July 2024

The researchers hypothesized that the closer the injured muscle was to the body the more likely the surgery would occur. —Jennifer Vilcarino, ABC News, 3 July 2024

Both produced the kinds of flows that had been hypothesized. —Elizabeth Rayne, Ars Technica, 4 Apr. 2024

The researchers hypothesized that the higher a person’s PDHI score, the lower their risk of being among the deceased. —Karen Kaplan, Los Angeles Times, 10 June 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1738, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

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