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

For now, much of this work is still hypothetical; Pacific Fusion’s campus, of which the demonstration facility is part, is currently under construction at the end of Pacific Fusion Drive. — Sarah Scoles, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026

Evidence suggests that this isn’t merely a hypothetical risk. — Shekhar Iyer, Forbes.com, 20 Oct. 2026

Buck had the opportunity to convert both his timeless tickets, including putting one toward a hypothetical Game 7. — Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 19 Oct. 2026

Farther from Tau Ceti, where the light was weaker, a hypothetical high-sensitivity camera could reveal them. — Davide Abbatescianni, Variety, 18 Oct. 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