if

noun

ˈif How to pronounce if (audio)
Definition of ifnext
1
as in assumption
something taken as being true or factual and used as a starting point for a course of action or reasoning your conclusion may turn out to be accurate, but you're postulating a lot of ifs

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in condition
something upon which the carrying out of an agreement or offer depends there are a number of ifs in the proposal

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 if And right-hander Tyler Glasnow could take an if-necessary Game 4. — Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 26 Sep. 2026 But that does feel like quite a big if, on the basis of them opening the season with 2-2 draws against Newcastle United and Nottingham Forest. — Nick Miller, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2026 What is not an if is that the NBA Board of Governors have to sign off on the initial sale to Iger and Kushner at their September 15 and 16 meeting in NYC. — Dominic Patten, Deadline, 17 Aug. 2026 Given this history, if Iraq does ultimately end up protecting Kurdistan’s airspace, and that’s definitely a big if, that would certainly be one for the books. — Paul Iddon, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026 Now, remember, all of these ifs depend on a government that remains feckless and people who are too disparate to stop the data center build-out. — Jim Cramer, CNBC, 28 June 2026 That’s a big if, especially for someone who isn’t looking down the road. — Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 3 June 2026 The if, ultimately, hinges on Bryant’s health. — Luca Evans, Denver Post, 26 May 2026 If those gains hold up, tax refunds wear off and the market takes a turn – three big ifs – consumers may start to pull back. — David Goldman, CNN Money, 21 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for if
  1. assumption
  2. condition
  3. theory
  4. provision
  5. given
  6. requirement
  7. stipulation
  8. exception
Noun
  • Having produced one such number per participant, the standard approach then pools all of them into a group average, on the assumption that individual differences are noise that will be canceled out.
    — Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 10 Oct. 2026
  • Even if the wars do continue, the identities of both major parties are in flux—existing coalitions are shaky, and the tremors could lead to unexpectedly competitive races in seats drawn around outdated assumptions.
    — Jon Allsop, New Yorker, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of assumption
Noun
  • The Singapore Shipping Association also played down the prospect of a broad withdrawal of commercial shipping from the region, suggesting operators would instead adapt to changing trade conditions.
    — Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 16 Oct. 2026
  • The team also evaluated methods for attaching sensors to storage casks, with the aim of developing installations capable of remaining in place for years under high-temperature and high-radiation conditions.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of condition
Noun
  • Framing theory explains how the presentation of information in the media influences the way people process and interpret it.
    — Heather LaMarre, The Conversation, 14 Oct. 2026
  • His theory didn’t reach far beyond Japan until the translation of his original essay, first in 1978, then in 2005, and again, with Mori’s approval, in 2012.
    — Daniel Hernandez, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of theory
Noun
  • Donald Clarke, a professor at George Washington University School of Law and a specialist in Chinese law, pointed The Hill to a specific provision in Chinese law that says a person must be of Chinese nationality to take the bar exam.
    — Mallory Wilson, The Hill, 15 Oct. 2026
  • The incident illustrates the failures of trust and safety provisions that are supposed to protect against this kind of confusion.
    — Mia Sato, The Verge, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of provision
Noun
  • There were some givens (the Detroit Tigers’ dealing Tarik Skubal), some surprises (the Baltimore Orioles’ moving on from Adley Rutschman) and plenty of hugs given along the way.
    — Johnny Flores Jr, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Schedule flexibility, reliable childcare, predictable transportation—these are treated as givens in how jobs are designed.
    — Caroline Fairchild, Forbes.com, 27 Mar. 2026
Definition of given
Noun
  • The system has been evaluated through military exercises and training events and has supported operational use in Ukraine, providing BLADE with real-world insight into evolving unmanned ground requirements, according to a press release.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 10 Oct. 2026
  • The new changes in the electoral law ease some requirements for candidates seeking office, eliminate the need for some financial documents and a mandatory medical certificate, and introduce electronic voter registration.
    — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of requirement
Noun
  • The settlement includes a series of stipulations related to the number of theatrical films the combined company will release per year and the required budget for those films.
    — Catriona Marangi, CNBC, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Yes; however, there are extensive stipulations specific to New York sports betting.
    — OutKick, FOXNews.com, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of stipulation
Noun
  • Where Brown has a point is that teams are using the full mid-level exception (MLE) less frequently under the current CBA.
    — Lev Akabas, Sportico.com, 15 Oct. 2026
  • The measure extends those protections to public ways within 1,000 feet of court facilities, while preserving an exception for arrests made under a valid judicial warrant.
    — Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of exception

Phrases Containing if

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idylls
if
if anything
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Cite this Entry

“If.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/if. Accessed 16 Oct. 2026.

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