as in theoretical
existing only as an assumption or speculation
we talked about what we would do in various hypothetical emergencies
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as in assumption
something taken as being true or factual and used as a starting point for a course of action or reasoning
believes that predictions of the extinction of certain species as the result of global warming are based upon too many hypotheticals
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Recent Examples of hypothetical
Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 27 Mar. 2026
While the new research was focused on microgravity conditions, hypothetical Mars inhabitants will experience roughly 38 percent of Earth’s gravity.
—Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 27 Mar. 2026
Pete Sweeney, Kansas City Star, 5 Feb. 2026
And if the hypotheticals are not enough to dissuade, history is littered with teams trading away their future for immediate glories, seeing their plans implode, and being left with a ruinous future that becomes a hopeless present while another team reaps the benefits.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 30 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hypothetical
Adjective
Results presented at the Lunar and Planetary Science Conference in Texas which ran between March 10 and 14 suggest a hypothetical moon called Chrysalis may have ventured too close to Saturn roughly 100 million years ago, where powerful tidal forces stripped away the moon's icy outer layers.
—Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 27 Mar. 2026
While the new research was focused on microgravity conditions, hypothetical Mars inhabitants will experience roughly 38 percent of Earth’s gravity.
—Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 27 Mar. 2026
Noun
With so many decisions to make, the Chiefs would have to get awfully creative to extend cornerback Trent McDuffie (who is entering the final year of his contract), which is why his name has floated in trade hypotheticals.
—Pete Sweeney, Kansas City Star, 5 Feb. 2026
And if the hypotheticals are not enough to dissuade, history is littered with teams trading away their future for immediate glories, seeing their plans implode, and being left with a ruinous future that becomes a hopeless present while another team reaps the benefits.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 30 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hypothetical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hypothetical
Adjective
-
That balance is not theoretical.—
DP Opinion,
Denver Post,
28 Mar. 2026
-
If the pair pull it off, the implications could be massive, revealing AI’s potential to convincingly resurrect and reinvent our cinematic history — a potential that before the tech had remained firmly theoretical.—
David Canfield,
HollywoodReporter,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
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But that number is based on a set of assumptions that seem to rest on increasingly unstable ground.—
Rebecca Noel,
Charlotte Observer,
25 Mar. 2026
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Though their are limits to Ray’s concern for his boys, and by the end of the movie, their experiences don’t transform them as much as confirm their confidences and assumptions.—
James Folta,
Literary Hub,
25 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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These aren’t speculative ideas.—
Brian Barlow,
Fortune,
28 Mar. 2026
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While this move is largely speculative at present, the strategic importance of the Middle East to the dollar’s role as the world’s reserve currency should not be underestimated, according to Deutsche.—
Joseph Wilkins,
CNBC,
25 Mar. 2026
Noun
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His practical advice fares better than both his theories and his pallid attempts at profundity.—
Becca Rothfeld,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
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Behavior change theory includes a tenant of measurement known as social norms.—
Matt Parrott,
Arkansas Online,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
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From this information, scientists developed what is being called the TLPath model based on the hypothesis that modifications in the shape and structure of cells and tissues could be used to predict the length of telomeres.—
Ashley Mackin Solomon,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
30 Mar. 2026
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This is also where the viewer will likely find their assumptions or hypotheses about Floyd’s death and the guilty party (or parties) involved start sifting through their fingers like sand.—
Andy Andersen,
Vulture,
30 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hypothetical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hypothetical. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
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