as in assumptions
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 hypotheticals
With that in mind, let’s run through some of those hypotheticals that Zito will be facing — and has been facing — as free agency looms.
—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
28 June 2026
And in desperate times, people don’t tend to think in hypotheticals or a decade out.
—
Katie Kilkenny,
HollywoodReporter,
24 June 2026
Families confronting complicated pregnancies are living through painful, high-stakes situations — not policy hypotheticals.
—
Robin Sautter,
Washington Post,
18 Apr. 2026
The conservative justices peppered Stewart with hypotheticals.
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Arkansas Online,
24 Mar. 2026
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
If hypotheticals about what could have been are a good dream for New York Knicks fans, then Mikal Bridges is the alarm clock that startles them awake.
—
James L. Edwards Iii,
New York Times,
2 Mar. 2026
No more leaning on hypotheticals.
—
Mike Bianchi,
The Orlando Sentinel,
21 Feb. 2026
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
28 June 2026
And in desperate times, people don’t tend to think in hypotheticals or a decade out.
—
Katie Kilkenny,
HollywoodReporter,
24 June 2026
Families confronting complicated pregnancies are living through painful, high-stakes situations — not policy hypotheticals.
—
Robin Sautter,
Washington Post,
18 Apr. 2026
The conservative justices peppered Stewart with hypotheticals.
—
Arkansas Online,
24 Mar. 2026
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
If hypotheticals about what could have been are a good dream for New York Knicks fans, then Mikal Bridges is the alarm clock that startles them awake.
—
James L. Edwards Iii,
New York Times,
2 Mar. 2026
No more leaning on hypotheticals.
—
Mike Bianchi,
The Orlando Sentinel,
21 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hypotheticals
Noun
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Sotter positions himself as an advocate and changemaker, willing to challenge assumptions and push conversations forward.
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Discrimination and biased assumptions are among the greatest barriers facing people with Down syndrome.
Noun
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Now, a wave of new theories offers tantalizing solutions — but which ones portray reality is an open question.
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His theories have won praise in UFO circles but often put him in conflict with academic peers.
Cite this Entry
“Hypotheticals.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hypotheticals. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
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