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

Such a possibility is far from being a mere hypothetical. —Robert Schmad, The Washington Examiner, 2 Jan. 2026

Artificial general intelligence refers to a hypothetical type of AI that possesses human-level cognitive abilities. —Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 1 Jan. 2026

Takaichi angered China by giving a hypothetical example of such a situation, a deviation from former leaders’ strategic ambiguity. —Mari Yamaguchi, Los Angeles Times, 31 Dec. 2025

The foster care system’s problems aren’t hypothetical. —Maureen Flatley, Boston Herald, 31 Dec. 2025

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