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

So the radio signals leaking out of a hypothetical alien star system might look a lot like the ones leaking out of ours. —Kiona N. Smith, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2025

Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker’s office declined to comment to CNN on the ongoing federal takeover in DC or any hypothetical actions in Philly. —Ray Sanchez, CNN Money, 23 Aug. 2025

On Friday, Bleacher Report's Zachary D. Rymer proposed a hypothetical offseason trade that would bring Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte to Detroit for starting pitcher Reese Olson, infield prospect Jace Jung, and outfield prospect Max Clark. —Jackson Roberts, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Aug. 2025

In a post on Truth Social, the president seemed to justify a hypothetical offensive against Russia and criticized the Biden administration’s longstanding policy against Ukraine using U.S. long-range missiles to attack … NAVAL AIR STATION OCEANA, Va. —Colin Meyn, The Hill, 21 Aug. 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