thought experiment

noun

Examples of thought experiment 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.
Even if all mathematicians agreed with Litt’s decidedly utopian take on this thought experiment, the current situation is far from that lofty ideal—as evidenced by First Proof’s first round. Joseph Howlett, Scientific American, 16 Mar. 2026 In 7th place on iSpot’s ranking was Amazon’s Alexa+ spot starring Chris Hemsworth, who runs through several horrifying thought experiments about how the advanced AI might be plotting to murder him in his own home. Todd Spangler, Variety, 9 Feb. 2026 Hyperrational thought experiments, forceful debates on whether AI could be shaped for the better, an unshakable belief in technological progress—these are classic Anthropic qualities. Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 28 Jan. 2026 Physicists call such conditions Schrödinger cat states, named after Erwin Schrödinger’s famous thought experiment. Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 22 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for thought experiment

Word History

First Known Use

1854, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of thought experiment was in 1854

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Thought experiment.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/thought%20experiment. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on thought experiment

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster