hypothesize
verb
hy·poth·e·size
hī-ˈpä-thə-ˌsīz 
hypothesized; hypothesizing
: to make a hypothesis
: to adopt as a hypothesis
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
Álvarez-Alonso et al. 2025 Researchers hypothesize the pebble was collected from a riverbed and transported to the interior of the rock shelter.
—
Jay Kakade
june 15, New Atlas, 15 June 2025
Broadhurst compared the twins' voice onset times to each other, hypothesizing that Niki, the gay twin, would have a longer voice onset time than Sammy, the straight twin.
—Charles Trepany, USA Today, 22 May 2025
The researchers hypothesize that those dinosaurs were better suited to colder climates, maybe because they were covered in feathers or possessed a warm-blooded body.
—Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 8 May 2025
The cart before the horse There’s a difference between a scientist who hypothesizes that a medical fact may be true and then sets about testing that idea, and a scientist who has already embraced and amplified a medical theory and is now casting about for something to support his conclusion.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 7 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for hypothesize
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Jay Kakade
june 15, New Atlas, 15 June 2025
Broadhurst compared the twins' voice onset times to each other, hypothesizing that Niki, the gay twin, would have a longer voice onset time than Sammy, the straight twin.
—Charles Trepany, USA Today, 22 May 2025
The researchers hypothesize that those dinosaurs were better suited to colder climates, maybe because they were covered in feathers or possessed a warm-blooded body.
—Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 8 May 2025
The cart before the horse There’s a difference between a scientist who hypothesizes that a medical fact may be true and then sets about testing that idea, and a scientist who has already embraced and amplified a medical theory and is now casting about for something to support his conclusion.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 7 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for hypothesize
Cite this Entry
“Hypothesize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hypothesize. Accessed 1 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
hypothesize
verb
hy·poth·e·size
hī-ˈpäth-ə-ˌsīz
hypothesized; hypothesizing
1
: to make a hypothesis
2
: to adopt as a hypothesis
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share