Synonyms of hypothetical

hypothetical 1 of 2

adjective

ˌhī-pə-ˈthe-ti-kəl 

as in theoretic

existing only as an assumption or speculation

we talked about what we would do in various hypothetical emergencies

Synonyms & Similar Words

• theoretic
• speculative
• theoretical
• conjectural
• proposed
• academical
• metaphysical
• conceptual
• suppositional
• academic
• alleged
• presumed
• debatable
• supposed
• unproven
• abstract
• moot
• unproved
• assumed
• untested
• presupposed
• intellectual
• nonclinical
• nonempirical
• nonpractical

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• actual
• real
• factual
• practical
• clinical
• concrete
• definite
• distinct
• defined
• demonstrated
• confirmed
• empirical
• observational
• tested
• proven
• validated
• substantiated
• established
• empiric
• authenticated
• verified
• attested
• time-tested
• nontheoretical
• nonspeculative

hypothetical

2 of 2

noun

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

• assumption
• theory
• hypothesis
• premise
• belief
• postulate
• given
• presupposition
• presumption
• supposition
• premiss
• if
• principle
• proposition
• assertion
• thesis
• axiom
• basis
• doctrine
• inference
• conclusion
• truism
• law
• rule
• standard
• gospel
• dogma
• declaration
• tenet
• precept
• deduction
• foundation
• canon
• verity
• affirmation
• dictum
• ground
• avouchment
• ipse dixit

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of hypothetical

Adjective

Last week, a poll of the hypothetical primary contest measured Donalds’ lead over Casey DeSantis at 19 percentage points when respondents were made aware of Trump’s endorsement preference. —David Catanese, Miami Herald, 14 May 2025

For example, children tend to think concretely and may struggle more than adults with abstract concepts like justice or hypothetical scenarios. —Jonathan B. Santo, The Conversation, 12 May 2025

As the hypothetical solar storm worsened, the exercise participants quickly became overwhelmed with information. —Tereza Pultarova, Space.com, 9 May 2025

Despite challenges like legacy data integration and security, digital twins promise significant operational advantages by making hypothetical scenarios feel immediate and actionable. —Murugan Lakshmanan, Forbes.com, 8 May 2025