as in theoretical
existing only as an assumption or speculation
we talked about what we would do in various hypothetical emergencies
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in assumption
something taken as being true or factual and used as a starting point for a course of action or reasoning
believes that predictions of the extinction of certain species as the result of global warming are based upon too many hypotheticals
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of hypothetical
Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 31 May 2026
Unlike East-West shipping lanes, the overland transportation corridor is not vulnerable to hypothetical American naval interdiction.
—Wesley Alexander Hill, Forbes.com, 30 May 2026
Harry Booth, Time, 11 Mar. 2026
And after a seventh-straight loss and a second straight season left spiraling, hypotheticals could only carry USC and its coach so far.
—Los Angeles Times, 8 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hypothetical
Adjective
In a hypothetical invasion, the two countries could pincer the border and sever the only land route into the Baltic states from the rest of NATO.
—Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 31 May 2026
Unlike East-West shipping lanes, the overland transportation corridor is not vulnerable to hypothetical American naval interdiction.
—Wesley Alexander Hill, Forbes.com, 30 May 2026
Noun
In the view of the Department of Defense, Anthropic kneecapped the partnership by insisting on unnecessary guardrails, attempting to litigate specific hypotheticals, and then dragging its feet in the subsequent negotiations.
—Harry Booth, Time, 11 Mar. 2026
And after a seventh-straight loss and a second straight season left spiraling, hypotheticals could only carry USC and its coach so far.
—Los Angeles Times, 8 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hypothetical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hypothetical
Adjective
-
Cherowbrier’s comparison between AI and the Internet regarding its impact on racing reflects how rapidly AI has moved from theoretical possibility to practical tool.—
James Morris,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2026
-
The risk is not theoretical The dangers of hot, humid weather are not new to professional soccer players and tournament organizers, though the risks are getting more pronounced as the planet warms.—
Rebecca Hersher,
NPR,
4 June 2026
Noun
-
The working assumption — correctly — is that anything digital taken into China should be treated as potentially compromised.—
Emma Bussey,
FOXNews.com,
11 June 2026
-
There is an assumption of arrogance, of high expectations, of going into every major tournament presuming their team will win it.—
Jack Pitt-Brooke,
New York Times,
10 June 2026
Adjective
-
For many, the sell-off reads as a warning sign for speculative excess in the face of trillions of dollars in upcoming IPO issuance and the potential for rising interest rates.—
Oliver Renick,
CNBC,
6 June 2026
-
Men are more likely to consider speculative assets and are less afraid to lose money than their female counterparts.—
Mary Cunningham,
CBS News,
6 June 2026
Noun
-
Karen Read filed her lawsuit against Canton and the MSP not only to reveal shockingly obscene and racist text messages between key cops investigating her — but also to relitigate the defense theory of conspiracy to frame her.—
Flint McColgan,
Boston Herald,
7 June 2026
-
The theories about what could have happened to Nancy Guthrie, Savannah Guthrie’s mom, are varied.—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
7 June 2026
Noun
-
The statement was greeted by the event moderator and the other laureates as preposterous enough to make the simulation hypothesis seem reasonable by comparison.—
Quanta Magazine,
Quanta Magazine,
8 June 2026
-
This hypothesis is also supported by other evidence, such as what appears to be a debris disk around the star.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
6 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hypothetical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hypothetical. Accessed 13 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
