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

In a hypothetical head-to-head matchup as seen in a survey from the University of North Florida, Donalds is leading Jolly by 5 points. — David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 16 Aug. 2026

Senhu Wang and Heejung Chung found that managers rate remote workers worse on commitment, productivity, team spirit and promotion opportunities, even when the hypothetical employees worked remotely only two to three days per week. — Gleb Tsipursky, Washington Post, 14 Aug. 2026

Because the concept of who will take snaps if every quarterback is injured isn’t a quirky hypothetical in Santa Clara. — Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 14 Aug. 2026

For now, the possibility of a transgender athlete playing in the WNBA is more hypothetical than actual. — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 12 Aug. 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