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
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
Musk triumphed in many such hypotheticals.
—Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 21 Nov. 2025
Bell might also question those billionaires and pose hypotheticals to gauge their reactions.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 20 Oct. 2025
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
Musk triumphed in many such hypotheticals.
—Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 21 Nov. 2025
Bell might also question those billionaires and pose hypotheticals to gauge their reactions.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 20 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hypotheticals
Noun
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For fiction that fails to challenge preexisting views and assumptions is nothing more than idle chatter—small talk.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
19 Feb. 2026
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Certainly, Hondo looks pretty reflective and concerned in one of the first look stills as events challenge his legacy and his assumptions about authority, so sense of self.—
John Hopewell,
Variety,
18 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The tobacco trials — which took place over decades but began to shift in favor of plaintiffs in the ’90s — similarly saw various types of plaintiffs file a wave of lawsuits, contributing to the release of internal documents and testing new legal theories.—
Clare Duffy,
CNN Money,
22 Feb. 2026
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Analysts offer competing, somewhat contradictory theories about the software selloff.—
Daniel de Visé,
USA Today,
22 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hypotheticals.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hypotheticals. Accessed 25 Feb. 2026.
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