as in theories
an idea that is the starting point for making a case or conducting an investigation
working on the hypothesis that teenagers function better in the late morning, some high schools are starting classes later
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Recent Examples of hypotheses
Non-falsifiable and untestable hypotheses cannot be checked out, and hence those ideas are incapable of disproof.
—
Big Think, 10 Feb. 2026
If there are answers to these questions, or informed hypotheses, this biography does not provide them.
—Kathryn Schulz, New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2026
Both of these hypotheses appear in preprints posted in the past two weeks, and each has already garnered its critics.
—Joseph Howlett, Scientific American, 5 Feb. 2026
Even so, the model is helping scientists to prioritize which genetic variants are most likely to matter, narrowing the search from across the genome to a manageable set of testable hypotheses.
—Elie Dolgin, IEEE Spectrum, 4 Feb. 2026
As to what that is, Cook points to two hypotheses.
—Luis Melecio-Zambrano, Mercury News, 31 Jan. 2026
The authors of the 2021 study have proposed two non-exclusive hypotheses for this behavior, the first of which relates to partner control and competition.
—Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
These hypotheses are about to be put to a test.
—Henry Grabar, The Atlantic, 21 Jan. 2026
Investigators are examining multiple hypotheses about the Sunday accident, raising questions about Spain’s otherwise world-leading high-speed rail safety reputation.
—Joseph Wilson, Los Angeles Times, 20 Jan. 2026
Big Think, 10 Feb. 2026
If there are answers to these questions, or informed hypotheses, this biography does not provide them.
—Kathryn Schulz, New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2026
Both of these hypotheses appear in preprints posted in the past two weeks, and each has already garnered its critics.
—Joseph Howlett, Scientific American, 5 Feb. 2026
Even so, the model is helping scientists to prioritize which genetic variants are most likely to matter, narrowing the search from across the genome to a manageable set of testable hypotheses.
—Elie Dolgin, IEEE Spectrum, 4 Feb. 2026
As to what that is, Cook points to two hypotheses.
—Luis Melecio-Zambrano, Mercury News, 31 Jan. 2026
The authors of the 2021 study have proposed two non-exclusive hypotheses for this behavior, the first of which relates to partner control and competition.
—Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
These hypotheses are about to be put to a test.
—Henry Grabar, The Atlantic, 21 Jan. 2026
Investigators are examining multiple hypotheses about the Sunday accident, raising questions about Spain’s otherwise world-leading high-speed rail safety reputation.
—Joseph Wilson, Los Angeles Times, 20 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hypotheses
Noun
-
People have responded to the baffling disappearance of Nancy Guthrie with theories in chat rooms, nonstop comments on a livestream tracking the investigation and a flood of calls to the FBI and Pima County Sheriff's Department.—
Stephanie Innes,
AZCentral.com,
13 Feb. 2026
-
My inbox overflowed with the latest theories on how Democrats had lost their way and what was needed to revive them.—
Mark Leibovich,
The Atlantic,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Ensure your home is securely locked when vacating the premises.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Originally built in 2003, Baldoni and his wife, Emily, implemented a full-scale remodel and expansion of the premises, working in collaboration with a design team from Pottery Barn to create a sprawling compound that doubles as a private resort.—
Wendy Bowman,
Robb Report,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
At the same time, Maryland has lost approximately 130,000 residents since Moore took office, yet the budget justifies hundreds of millions in housing and community revitalization spending based on population growth assumptions that do not match reality.—
J.B. Jennings,
Baltimore Sun,
5 Feb. 2026
-
For both the terminals and the pipeline, the authority hosted a series of follow-up meetings with prospective participants to collect technical feedback, validate market assumptions and refine the documentation supporting the selection process.—
Glenn Taylor,
Sourcing Journal,
3 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hypotheses.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hypotheses. Accessed 19 Feb. 2026.
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