1
as in assumption
something taken as being true or factual and used as a starting point for a course of action or reasoning
your conclusion may turn out to be accurate, but you're postulating a lot of ifs
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in condition
something upon which the carrying out of an agreement or offer depends
there are a number of ifs in the proposal
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of if
The new strategy means the doc fix happens only if Republicans can get a reconciliation package across the finish line — a big if.
—
Peter Sullivan, Axios, 11 Mar. 2025
The question about Running Point getting a season 2 is not really an if, but a when.
—Paul Tassi, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2025
There is an if here, in other words.
—Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 26 Feb. 2025
That’s a big if, needless to say.
—Willing Davidson, The New Yorker, 23 Feb. 2025
If all goes well—and this is a huge if, Gialich readily acknowledges—Odin will fly by its target asteroid 301 days later.
—Jonathan M. Gitlin, Ars Technica, 29 Jan. 2025
There was an if-not-now-then-when feeling in Buffalo this week.
—Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 27 Jan. 2025
New experimental and theoretical results, new tools and private sector investment are all adding to our growing sense that developing practical fusion energy is no longer an if but a when.
—Farhat Beg, The Conversation, 8 Jan. 2025
Yes, derivatives can pay off on all sorts of inflationary outcomes (if the counterparty is solvent enough to pay—a big if).
—James Berman, Forbes, 6 Jan. 2025
Peter Sullivan, Axios, 11 Mar. 2025
The question about Running Point getting a season 2 is not really an if, but a when.
—Paul Tassi, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2025
There is an if here, in other words.
—Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 26 Feb. 2025
That’s a big if, needless to say.
—Willing Davidson, The New Yorker, 23 Feb. 2025
If all goes well—and this is a huge if, Gialich readily acknowledges—Odin will fly by its target asteroid 301 days later.
—Jonathan M. Gitlin, Ars Technica, 29 Jan. 2025
There was an if-not-now-then-when feeling in Buffalo this week.
—Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 27 Jan. 2025
New experimental and theoretical results, new tools and private sector investment are all adding to our growing sense that developing practical fusion energy is no longer an if but a when.
—Farhat Beg, The Conversation, 8 Jan. 2025
Yes, derivatives can pay off on all sorts of inflationary outcomes (if the counterparty is solvent enough to pay—a big if).
—James Berman, Forbes, 6 Jan. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for if
Noun
-
This method forces teams to rethink their assumptions and explore unconventional angles.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
28 Apr. 2025
-
The three-time Pro Bowler’s placement on this list is operating under the assumption that Andrews is content remaining with the Ravens and hasn’t become disenchanted with all of the trade speculation and criticism he’s gotten for how Baltimore’s 2024 season ended.—
Jeff Zrebiec,
New York Times,
28 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
While these two exhibits may feel distinct, for Suh, all of his work interrogates the boundaries between personal and public space, and the conditions that force transience or enable permanence.—
Megan Williams,
CNN Money,
1 May 2025
-
These shifts can increase your chances of certain injuries and conditions such as herniated discs, bone spurs, arthritis, and spinal stenosis, or the narrowing of the spaces within the spine that causes pressure on the spinal cord and nerves.—
Jenny McCoy,
SELF,
1 May 2025
Noun
-
Terrain theory applied Terrain theory's clash with reality has become painfully apparent amid Kennedy's handling—or more accurately, mishandling—of the current measles situation in the US.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
30 Apr. 2025
-
Carney and Sheinbaum offer an opportunity to test a different theory.—
Justin Worland,
Time,
30 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
But these recent examples suggest the provision is no longer serving that purpose.—
Ian Nicholas Quillen,
Forbes.com,
26 Apr. 2025
-
Other portions of the executive order are still being litigated, including a provision that withholds federal funds from states that count mail and absentee ballots that are postmarked by Election Day but are received by election officials afterwards.—
Jude Joffe-Block,
NPR,
24 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Assuming the roster gets back to full health, the givens ahead of Pelle in the rotation would be Tyler Herro, Bam Adebayo, Kel’el Ware, Andrew Wiggins and, perhaps, Davion Mitchell.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
2 Apr. 2025
-
There are some givens in the B’s lineup, as long as there’s good health.—
Steve Conroy,
Boston Herald,
26 Sep. 2024
Noun
-
India's import licensing requirements, foreign direct investment caps, and state-run trading monopolies control who can do business and under what terms.—
Garth Friesen,
Forbes.com,
27 Apr. 2025
-
The announcement came shortly after President Trump expressed his support for the district, in Massapequa, N.Y., in its fight against complying with a state Board of Regents requirement that all districts abandon mascots that appropriate Native American culture or risk losing state funding.—
Ed Shanahan,
New York Times,
26 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
But moments after the judge accepted the stipulation signed by the lawyers and set the trial for damages only for May 27, Knight piped up on his remote connection, a source tells Rolling Stone.—
Nancy Dillon,
Rolling Stone,
28 Apr. 2025
-
With zero debt used or accepted, the properties are aggregated by the company into a mineral portfolio which qualifies as replacement property, with certain specifications and stipulations as detailed by Peak Exchange.—
Fred Hubler,
Forbes.com,
22 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Although scientists report to have revived a 2,000-year-old date palm seed from an archaeological site in the Middle East, such cases are the exception.—
Katarina Zimmer,
Smithsonian Magazine,
2 May 2025
-
The measure would provide funding for implementation and allow exceptions for students with learning challenges or translation needs.—
Sarah Taddeo,
USA Today,
1 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“If.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/if. Accessed 9 May. 2025.
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