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

Early in the spring, Wyeth’s friend Bernard had said to him that his black people were always hypothetical and that this gave his work a sterile air. —Literary Hub, 14 Oct. 2025

The scientists behind the project hope those crystals will interact with the hypothetical dark matter particles known as WIMPs. —Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 13 Oct. 2025

Ultimately, Bayless is going off of a hypothetical scenario that cannot be proven or disproven. —MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 2025

Fitzgerald didn't provide specifics about what that argument will look like, but there are various hypothetical ways that abuse can happen. —Aysha Bagchi, USA Today, 9 Oct. 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