as in theoretical
existing only as an assumption or speculation
we talked about what we would do in various hypothetical emergencies
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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
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Recent Examples of hypothetical
Luis Parrales,
The Atlantic,
18 June 2026
As part of a hypothetical three-team trade with Boston and Milwaukee, the Rockets could top any Heat offer with a combination of players who have been All-Stars (Alperen Sengun) or young players (Jabari Smith and Amen Thompson) and some of their six available first-round picks.
—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
15 June 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
Theologians have gone so far as to wonder how Catholic teaching would apply to hypothetical extraterrestrial life.
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Luis Parrales,
The Atlantic,
18 June 2026
As part of a hypothetical three-team trade with Boston and Milwaukee, the Rockets could top any Heat offer with a combination of players who have been All-Stars (Alperen Sengun) or young players (Jabari Smith and Amen Thompson) and some of their six available first-round picks.
—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
15 June 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
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Before that, the idea of one day becoming king was something distant and theoretical, a concept discussed in books and family history rather than something with immediate relevance to his own life.
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This stopped being theoretical just this month.
Noun
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The brand positions the fabric and fit as its answer to the old assumption that hemp-heavy shirts could not feel comfortable enough for everyday wear.
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This morning favors gentle starts and better listening, while the afternoon asks us to slow replies, check assumptions, and make our tone easier to understand.
Adjective
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The aerospace company has figured out how to position itself firmly in the middle of the speculative hype of the AI cycle, and numerous financial organizations have amended rules designed to protect retail investors.
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CoreWeave, for instance, despite projecting significant revenue, carries a speculative-grade credit rating and substantial debt.
Noun
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The narrative conjures meaning from the Los Angeles cityscape by fusing a hodgepodge of textbook theories about the sprawling metropolis onto the gritty reality of daily life.
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According to the theory, each of these attributes contributes toward the most important influencing factor -- intention.
Noun
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The goal of the platform is to support the entire drug lifecycle—from early-stage laboratory discovery and hypothesis generation to clinical trials and final commercialization.
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The working hypothesis behind the cluster is that the first case acquired hantavirus while on land, before boarding the cruise ship, the WHO said.
Cite this Entry
“Hypothetical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hypothetical. Accessed 27 Jun. 2026.
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