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

Rather than building around a hypothetical future audience, the company is organizing part of an existing global market that sponsors, hospitality companies, travel operators and consumer brands are already trying to reach, and to understand. — Jacques Ledbetter, Forbes.com, 26 July 2026

No society in human history has produced that form of equality, and holding a country up against a hypothetical utopia is a ridiculous standard that no society could ever reach. — Dan Zaksheske Outkick, FOXNews.com, 26 July 2026

These are no longer hypothetical questions for the next generation of applicants. — Gauri Gurumurthy, STAT, 24 July 2026

What to read next To highlight the potential risks imposed by relying on an NRHO, Glover brought up a hypothetical situation — an astronaut health issue that requires a medical evacuation just after landing at a lunar south pole moon base. — Josh Dinner, Space.com, 23 July 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