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

In an era when artificial intelligence can read X-rays, detect tumors, and recommend treatments, that question is no longer hypothetical. —Nia Bowers, USA Today, 12 Sep. 2025

With anxiety, you’re stuck in hypothetical scenarios. —Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025

The question is no longer hypothetical. —Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 10 Sep. 2025

New York City Democratic mayoral nominee Zohran Mamdani holds a commanding lead in the race among the four-person field, though the lead narrows in hypothetical head-to-head match-ups, according to a survey released Tuesday. —Jared Gans, The Hill, 9 Sep. 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