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hypothesize

verb

hy·​poth·​e·​size hī-ˈpä-thə-ˌsīz How to pronounce hypothesize (audio)
hypothesized; hypothesizing

transitive verb

: 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
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.
The researchers hypothesize that perhaps only certain EBV strains are able to turn B cells into the antigen-presenting cells that go on to recruit antinuclear B cells. New Atlas, 21 Nov. 2025 Although the study did not examine why people who were exposed to fluoridation had higher test scores in high school, Warren hypothesizes that having better dental health as a result of fluoride may have meant those individuals were less likely to be absent from school because of illness. Humberto Basilio, Scientific American, 19 Nov. 2025 Martin hypothesized that af Klint was responsible for about twelve of the paintings in the series, and Cassel for about fourteen. Alice Gregory, New Yorker, 16 Nov. 2025 There’s another line of hypothesizing that says that development of red fall color discourages insects from feeding on leaves in the fall. Paul Cappiello, Louisville Courier Journal, 14 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for hypothesize

Word History

First Known Use

1738, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of hypothesize was in 1738

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Cite this Entry

“Hypothesize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hypothesize. Accessed 3 Dec. 2025.

Kids Definition

hypothesize

verb
hy·​poth·​e·​size hī-ˈpäth-ə-ˌsīz How to pronounce hypothesize (audio)
hypothesized; hypothesizing
1
: to make a hypothesis
2
: to adopt as a hypothesis
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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