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
Loosely based on a controversial hypothesis, the show is built on familiar but very well-executed beats.
—
David Faris, TheWeek, 14 May 2026
That same day the Associated Press reported that two Argentine officials who were investigating the origins of the outbreak and spoke on the condition of anonymity said the government’s leading hypothesis was that the couple contracted the virus while bird-watching in Ushuaia before the cruise.
—Kate Wong, Scientific American, 14 May 2026
Based on the hypothesis that the first patients were exposed on land and reports that ship officials did not find rodents aboard, the risk to those on the next cruise should be low, Brito said.
—Devi Shastri, Chicago Tribune, 13 May 2026
Childhood is a long series of experiments—testing out hypotheses and making adjustments.
—Mac Barnett, Longreads, 5 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for hypothesis
David Faris, TheWeek, 14 May 2026
That same day the Associated Press reported that two Argentine officials who were investigating the origins of the outbreak and spoke on the condition of anonymity said the government’s leading hypothesis was that the couple contracted the virus while bird-watching in Ushuaia before the cruise.
—Kate Wong, Scientific American, 14 May 2026
Based on the hypothesis that the first patients were exposed on land and reports that ship officials did not find rodents aboard, the risk to those on the next cruise should be low, Brito said.
—Devi Shastri, Chicago Tribune, 13 May 2026
Childhood is a long series of experiments—testing out hypotheses and making adjustments.
—Mac Barnett, Longreads, 5 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for hypothesis
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hypothesis
Noun
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This is as important, and as boring, in theory, as picking a fund for your 401(k), yet, improbably, the draft has become one of the largest events on the sporting calendar.—
Dan Greene,
New Yorker,
18 May 2026
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To overcome this problem, the study authors used a mathematical framework called the theory of functional connections (TFC).—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
17 May 2026
Noun
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The thesis, as Zidni frames it, is that Indonesian cinema’s next phase cannot rely on individual producers’ persistence.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
15 May 2026
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The long-tail currency problem, central to the Asia-and-Latin-America thesis, is solved with a hybrid approach.—
Boaz Sobrado,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2026
Noun
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As reported, Gucci is anchoring the core of its business in a strong midprice proposition between 2,000 euros and 3,000 euros, elevating its top tier with distinctive details and richer materials, and redesigning entry level styles without compromising quality.—
Emily Mercer,
Footwear News,
17 May 2026
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That's the proposition the South Pacific is making to visitors.—
Christopher Elliott,
Forbes.com,
17 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hypothesis.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hypothesis. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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