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
The findings suggest that the global compass hypothesis is indeed correct, as some experiments have predicted.
—
Yasemin Saplakoglu, Quanta Magazine, 21 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
To test this hypothesis, the team bioengineered mice without the GULO enzyme to mimic humans’ vitamin C dependency.
—Jay Kakade
january 19, New Atlas, 19 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hypothesis
Yasemin Saplakoglu, Quanta Magazine, 21 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
To test this hypothesis, the team bioengineered mice without the GULO enzyme to mimic humans’ vitamin C dependency.
—Jay Kakade
january 19, New Atlas, 19 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hypothesis
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hypothesis
Noun
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Warsh’s theory of the case is built in part on his long-standing criticism of the Fed’s massive balance sheet.—
Matt Egan,
CNN Money,
2 Feb. 2026
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By calling itself an institute, the artist-run organization adopts the traditional markers of academic power while collapsing the hierarchies of collegiate critical theory and interdisciplinary studies programs.—
Catherine Taft,
Artforum,
1 Feb. 2026
Noun
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But what struck me in Davos this month was how AI's capital intensity has turned this from utility talking points into a genuine investment thesis with animal spirits behind it.—
Justin Worland,
Time,
30 Jan. 2026
-
This became my structuring thesis.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Newsom’s office was telling the press that the redistricting proposition would likely pass by ten points, but its internal polling put the lead closer to fifteen or twenty.—
Nathan Heller,
New Yorker,
1 Feb. 2026
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While the next storm is never far away in New England, the value proposition for our customers and the state is clear – strategic, cost-effective investments in reliability deliver real benefits to families, businesses and the broader economy.—
Steve Sullivan,
Hartford Courant,
31 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hypothesis.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hypothesis. Accessed 5 Feb. 2026.
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