Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

Thesaurus

hypothesis

noun

Synonyms and Antonyms of hypothesis

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
Synonyms of hypothesis

proposition, supposition, theory, thesis
Words Related to hypothesis

assumption, concession, premise (also premiss), presumption, presupposition, theorem

conjecture, generalization, guess, guesswork, inference, speculation, surmise

proffer, proposal, suggestion

feeling, hunch, impression, inkling, notion, suspicion

abstraction, concept, conception, construct
Near Antonyms of hypothesis

assurance, certainty, fact, knowledge

Synonym Discussion of hypothesis

hypothesis, theory, law mean a formula derived by inference from scientific data that explains a principle operating in nature. hypothesis implies insufficient evidence to provide more than a tentative explanation.
    • a hypothesis explaining the extinction of the dinosaurs
theory implies a greater range of evidence and greater likelihood of truth.
    • the theory of evolution
law implies a statement of order and relation in nature that has been found to be invariable under the same conditions.
    • the law of gravitation

Learn More about hypothesis

  1. Dictionary: Definition of hypothesis Medical Dictionary: Definition of hypothesis Spanish Central: Translation of hypothesis Nglish: Translation of hypothesis for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of hypothesis for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about hypothesis

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up hypothesis? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show comments hide comments

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

WORD OF THE DAY

canker

Listen to the pronounciation of canker

to corrupt or become corrupted

Get Word of the Day daily email!

TRENDING NOW

  1. mendacious, mendacity George Conway calls Trump a liar

  2. crawdad New novel makes waves

  3. non sequitur, sequitur Manafort judge addresses defense

SEE ALL

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games