as in theory
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 hypothesis
For within weeks of the book’s publication, Hopkins and two other researchers confounded mathematicians by announcing that Snaith’s warning to readers had been all too apt: The doomsday hypothesis was true.
—
Erica Klarreich, Quanta Magazine, 5 May 2025
The hypothesis lined up with previous speculation that the area had undergone lithospheric foundering, which happens when Earth’s outermost layer sinks into the lower layer of the mantle.
—Taylor Nicioli, CNN Money, 18 Apr. 2025
That’s the hypothesis: people first, systems second.
—Dan Gardner, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025
In the light of their findings, the researchers have two hypotheses that might explain Vesta's true identity.
—Tom Rogers, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hypothesis
Erica Klarreich, Quanta Magazine, 5 May 2025
The hypothesis lined up with previous speculation that the area had undergone lithospheric foundering, which happens when Earth’s outermost layer sinks into the lower layer of the mantle.
—Taylor Nicioli, CNN Money, 18 Apr. 2025
That’s the hypothesis: people first, systems second.
—Dan Gardner, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025
In the light of their findings, the researchers have two hypotheses that might explain Vesta's true identity.
—Tom Rogers, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hypothesis
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hypothesis
Noun
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My session stretched almost two hours, including a half-hour theory overview on the dunes.—
David Shortell,
Travel + Leisure,
12 May 2025
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One theory raised was that the boat capsized after being struck by a waterspout (which refers to a tornado over the water), though there may have been more factors at play that contributed to the sinking.—
David Chiu,
People.com,
12 May 2025
Noun
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That would bode well for Club holding Goldman Sachs’ crucial investment banking segment, which is core to our investment thesis in the stock.—
Morgan Chittum,
CNBC,
16 May 2025
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Hernandez injected her Mexican culture into her thesis looks.—
Essence,
Essence,
9 May 2025
Noun
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Taking on a new mortgage at a much higher rate may be a difficult proposition for many.—
Andrea Riquier,
USA Today,
18 May 2025
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The proposition hit that sweet spot of being novel and just feasible enough to pique the interests of individuals who became key pieces to the London City Lionesses’ success.—
Tamerra Griffin,
New York Times,
17 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hypothesis.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hypothesis. Accessed 22 May. 2025.
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