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

Sterile neutrinos are one of the hypothetical particles that have been proposed to account for dark matter. —Robert Lea, Space.com, 9 Jan. 2026

But under questioning from Cruz, Vladeck conceded that approving a nondisclosure order without any factual proffer would be inconsistent with a judge’s oath, if that hypothetical were true. —Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 8 Jan. 2026

Because there are no free-roaming bison herds established in Colorado, this new management tool is, in some ways, a hypothetical one. —Dac Collins, Outdoor Life, 8 Jan. 2026

That doesn’t mean back channel, hypothetical conversations didn’t happen because that’s how the NFL, if not all of professional sports, works. —Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 8 Jan. 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