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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 hypotheticals
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
With so many decisions to make, the Chiefs would have to get awfully creative to extend cornerback Trent McDuffie (who is entering the final year of his contract), which is why his name has floated in trade hypotheticals.
—Pete Sweeney, Kansas City Star, 5 Feb. 2026
And if the hypotheticals are not enough to dissuade, history is littered with teams trading away their future for immediate glories, seeing their plans implode, and being left with a ruinous future that becomes a hopeless present while another team reaps the benefits.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 30 Jan. 2026
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
That’s a scary thought dependent on a whole lot of hypotheticals, but the theoretical doomsday is a strong reminder for moviegoers to find community that’s small and local.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 16 Dec. 2025
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
With so many decisions to make, the Chiefs would have to get awfully creative to extend cornerback Trent McDuffie (who is entering the final year of his contract), which is why his name has floated in trade hypotheticals.
—Pete Sweeney, Kansas City Star, 5 Feb. 2026
And if the hypotheticals are not enough to dissuade, history is littered with teams trading away their future for immediate glories, seeing their plans implode, and being left with a ruinous future that becomes a hopeless present while another team reaps the benefits.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 30 Jan. 2026
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
That’s a scary thought dependent on a whole lot of hypotheticals, but the theoretical doomsday is a strong reminder for moviegoers to find community that’s small and local.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 16 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hypotheticals
Noun
-
Come ready to shed any rigid assumptions and play.—
Lilliam Rivera,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Mar. 2026
-
That math reshapes assumptions about where audiences gather and what production value means to them.—
Hanna Wickes,
Kansas City Star,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
In addition to being politically fraught, the plan would undoubtedly be the target of litigation under a variety of legal theories.—
Jon Coupal,
Oc Register,
15 Mar. 2026
-
Juergen Habermas, one of the world’s most influential philosophers whose theories on communication and rationality shaped modern intellectual thought, died at 96.—
Geir Moulson,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hypotheticals.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hypotheticals. Accessed 18 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
