hypothetically
adverb
hy·po·thet·i·cal·ly
ˌhī-pə-ˈthe-ti-k(ə-)lē 
: 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
Genevieve StuttafordWe 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 possibleLewis H. LaphamHypothetically, 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
Dragan HutererExamples of hypothetically in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
However, more leeway might be afforded, if, hypothetically, UEFA decided a long way out to host the Champions League final in the U.S. and Barcelona happened to qualify.
—Adam Crafton, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2025
Or even, hypothetically, without leaving the dance floor.
—James Dinh, Billboard, 14 Apr. 2025
Their Elite 8 opponent would like to be Florida or Maryland, with Florida being the far superior team remaining in the region with St. John's and Texas Tech hypothetically gone.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 22 Mar. 2025
If, hypothetically, Painter were to make three starts of two innings followed by three starts of three innings, three starts of four innings, and three starts of five innings, that would take him to the end of June.
—Matt Gelb, New York Times, 12 Apr. 2025
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Adam Crafton, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2025
Or even, hypothetically, without leaving the dance floor.
—James Dinh, Billboard, 14 Apr. 2025
Their Elite 8 opponent would like to be Florida or Maryland, with Florida being the far superior team remaining in the region with St. John's and Texas Tech hypothetically gone.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 22 Mar. 2025
If, hypothetically, Painter were to make three starts of two innings followed by three starts of three innings, three starts of four innings, and three starts of five innings, that would take him to the end of June.
—Matt Gelb, New York Times, 12 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hypothetically
Cite this Entry
“Hypothetically.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hypothetically. Accessed 3 May. 2025.
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