hypothetically

adverb

hy·​po·​thet·​i·​cal·​ly ˌhī-pə-ˈthe-ti-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce hypothetically (audio)
: by making an assumption for the sake of discussion or argument : in a hypothetical way
speaking hypothetically
In this lucid report … he uses genetic differences, maps, computer simulations and an analysis of linguistic changes in the world's languages to hypothetically reconstruct the mass migrations of people across continents since modern humans first appeared.Genevieve Stuttaford
We asked ourselves hypothetically: If the chairmen of the boards of these major tobacco companies walked in here today and said, "Okay, we're ready to do a deal," what did we want?Lewis H. Lapham
used to suggest what is theoretically possible
Hypothetically, you could use a computer to synthesize a large number of harmonics, add them back together, and reproduce a sound similar to that of the bowed violin string.Dragan Huterer

Examples of hypothetically in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Once inside a human, a mirror bacteria could hypothetically replicate to extremely high levels in the body, causing its host to experience something similar to septic shock. Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2025 In the messages, which were sent to a Republican member of the House of Delegates in 2022, Jones describes the then-Republican speaker of the House of Delegates hypothetically being shot in the head with two bullets. Margaret Barthel, NPR, 16 Oct. 2025 Let’s say, hypothetically, that one of these appellate courts rules in favor of the administration. Jack Birle, The Washington Examiner, 13 Oct. 2025 Marvel never announced which movie was originally set for that July 2027 date, but has a number of projects in development that hypothetically could have filled that slot. Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 2 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for hypothetically

Word History

First Known Use

1593, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of hypothetically was in 1593

Cite this Entry

“Hypothetically.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hypothetically. Accessed 22 Oct. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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