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

• theoretic
• speculative
• theoretical

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 situation in which Comcast were to also spin off NBCUniversal, which is currently slated to remain with the company following the Versant transaction, and merge it with WBD, LightShed analyst Rich Greenfield predicted that deal could get through regulators. —Alex Sherman,lillian Rizzo, CNBC, 30 Oct. 2025

Should the league declare Watson the winner of that hypothetical -- but entirely possible -- battle, Cleveland would be looking at either rostering Watson or cutting him. —Max Dible, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2025

Many regional observers believe Barghouti is the only figure capable of uniting the Palestinians; polls show him as a leading candidate in a hypothetical election for President of the Palestinian Authority. —Eric Cortellessa, Time, 23 Oct. 2025

These are hypothetical cracks in spacetime that many scientists believe may still be out there. —Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 23 Oct. 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