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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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
Joe Rexrode, New York Times, 28 Feb. 2026
Built to Solve Real-World Frustrations Scenarios like the one described here aren’t hypothetical, but instead real-world problems that plenty of professionals have encountered at some point during their careers.
—Ethan M. Stone, USA Today, 27 Feb. 2026
Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 Dec. 2025
His forthcoming book outlines a series of extreme hypotheticals, including succession scenarios triggered by national emergencies.
—Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 18 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hypothetical
Adjective
In a hypothetical scenario, Miami lost in the MAC tournament and still received an at-large bid — thanks in large part to a second-year metric that carries significant weight, Wins Above Bubble (WAB).
—Joe Rexrode, New York Times, 28 Feb. 2026
Built to Solve Real-World Frustrations Scenarios like the one described here aren’t hypothetical, but instead real-world problems that plenty of professionals have encountered at some point during their careers.
—Ethan M. Stone, USA Today, 27 Feb. 2026
Noun
The Library of Congress has discussed these hypotheticals, but notes neither the 12th nor the 22nd Amendment clearly addresses such scenarios.
—Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 Dec. 2025
His forthcoming book outlines a series of extreme hypotheticals, including succession scenarios triggered by national emergencies.
—Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 18 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hypothetical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hypothetical
Adjective
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For now, that’s all theoretical, as California Democrats scramble to avoid their party from getting boxed out of the November gubernatorial ballot.—
David Mark,
The Washington Examiner,
27 Feb. 2026
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For instance, a theoretical visit by a Taiwanese military official to the Pentagon could interest China, given its longstanding vow to reunite Taiwan with the mainland.—
Kim Hjelmgaard,
USA Today,
26 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Leaders of the Upper Basin states also are raising objections, saying the Interior Department’s current options rely on flawed assumptions, fail to impose large enough cuts on the Lower Basin and go beyond the federal government’s authority.—
Ian James,
Los Angeles Times,
4 Mar. 2026
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This assumption breaks down in a world that shifts in real time.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
4 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Unfortunately, that is often not the best thing to do, and leads to him giving up possession through speculative shots or running into a tight spot when team-mates are in better positions.—
Cerys Jones,
New York Times,
28 Feb. 2026
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Lawmakers have raised concerns about rising power bills, transparency, and whether utility customers will be left paying for massive infrastructure projects tied to speculative demand.—
Matt Parr,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Over the past decade, scholars have increasingly mapped postcolonial theory onto post-Soviet contexts, treating Russian imperial expansion as analogous to Western colonialism.—
Anel Rakhimzhanova,
Artforum,
1 Mar. 2026
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This is not an abstract theory.—
Ajaypal Banga,
Twin Cities,
1 Mar. 2026
Noun
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To test that hypothesis, the researchers sped up the zebra fishes’ heart rate; more fractures formed in the cardiac jelly.—
Clare Watson,
Quanta Magazine,
27 Feb. 2026
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But in this case, the bot’s hypothesis is probably right.—
O. Rose Broderick,
STAT,
27 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hypothetical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hypothetical. Accessed 7 Mar. 2026.
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