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 of hypothesize

• 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 team hypothesizes that the bats anchored themselves to landmarks in their environment, such as the coastline, the experimenters’ tents, and their perches. —Yasemin Saplakoglu, Quanta Magazine, 21 Jan. 2026

The researchers hypothesize that the Atlantic Forest’s changing environment has led these species to develop a taste for human blood. —Tom Hawking, Popular Science, 15 Jan. 2026

Truist’s analysts hypothesize 18- to 20-year-olds could be fueling the predictions action in the state, too. —Contessa Brewer, CNBC, 15 Jan. 2026

Scientists have long hypothesized that women’s estrogen hormone and their double X chromosome may play a role in their longer lives. —Alexa Mikhail, Flow Space, 14 Jan. 2026

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