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
-
If that effort fails, prosecutors could seek to retry Garcia Torres on the murder charge, but they would not be allowed to rely on the prior kidnapping allegations or theories of willful, deliberate and premeditated murder, according to the ruling.—
Robert Salonga,
Mercury News,
28 Feb. 2026
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Whether diving into complex theories or working late to ensure an essay is flawless, Aubrey is consistently the hardest-working person in the room.—
Caroline Ritzie,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
27 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Those limitations are likely to include not leaving the premises and not engaging in recreational drug or alcohol use.—
Kathy Kristof,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
2 Mar. 2026
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Many of these explanations are based on false premises; some already seem to have been abandoned.—
Susan B. Glasser,
New Yorker,
2 Mar. 2026
Noun
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But the man who absolutely dominated the game from day 1 was still more than satisfied to prove people’s assumptions about him wrong.—
Dalton Ross,
Entertainment Weekly,
27 Feb. 2026
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The broadcast signal remains governed by mid-20th century assumptions, while the digital ecosystem operates under an entirely different set of rules.—
Jay Caruso,
The Washington Examiner,
27 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hypotheses.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hypotheses. Accessed 5 Mar. 2026.
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