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
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
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
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hypotheticals
Noun
-
Our job isn’t to keep everyone happy by confirming their assumptions.—
Jonathan Zimmerman,
Chicago Tribune,
14 May 2026
-
The cost model for these units is based on current material, labor, and financing data for the first commercial deployment rather than theoretical assumptions regarding future mass production.—
Aman Tripathi,
Interesting Engineering,
14 May 2026
Noun
-
Out of these theories, the last seemed the most speculative, personal, and, therefore, pertinent.—
Weike Wang,
New Yorker,
17 May 2026
-
There are fan theories that at least part of Vought Rising will take place after the events of The Boys, where the WWII-era flashbacks will be the other half of the show.—
Paul Tassi,
Forbes.com,
16 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hypotheticals.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hypotheticals. Accessed 18 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
