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

The Supreme Court Despite being asked several times on the campaign trail—thanks to the vacancy left by Antonin Scalia in February 2016—Clinton never revealed her hypothetical pick for late justice’s Supreme Court seat. — Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Nov. 2026

Often called Planet Nine—poking fun at professional astronomers’ 2006 demotion of Pluto from being the solar system’s ninth planet—this hypothetical body’s existence has been hotly debated, though that hasn’t slowed the search. — Phil Plait, Scientific American, 6 Nov. 2026

Treat Autonomy As Delegated Authority Consider a hypothetical agent assigned to resolve overdue invoices. — Lloyd Marino, Forbes.com, 6 Nov. 2026

Ethan has even suggested his son could portray him in a hypothetical biopic. — Angelique Brenes, PEOPLE, 6 Nov. 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