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
Relevance
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
The new strategy means the doc fix happens only if Republicans can get a reconciliation package across the finish line — a big if.
—
Peter Sullivan, Axios, 11 Mar. 2025
The question about Running Point getting a season 2 is not really an if, but a when.
—Paul Tassi, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2025
There is an if here, in other words.
—Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 26 Feb. 2025
That’s a big if, needless to say.
—Willing Davidson, The New Yorker, 23 Feb. 2025
If all goes well—and this is a huge if, Gialich readily acknowledges—Odin will fly by its target asteroid 301 days later.
—Jonathan M. Gitlin, Ars Technica, 29 Jan. 2025
There was an if-not-now-then-when feeling in Buffalo this week.
—Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 27 Jan. 2025
New experimental and theoretical results, new tools and private sector investment are all adding to our growing sense that developing practical fusion energy is no longer an if but a when.
—Farhat Beg, The Conversation, 8 Jan. 2025
Yes, derivatives can pay off on all sorts of inflationary outcomes (if the counterparty is solvent enough to pay—a big if).
—James Berman, Forbes, 6 Jan. 2025
Peter Sullivan, Axios, 11 Mar. 2025
The question about Running Point getting a season 2 is not really an if, but a when.
—Paul Tassi, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2025
There is an if here, in other words.
—Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 26 Feb. 2025
That’s a big if, needless to say.
—Willing Davidson, The New Yorker, 23 Feb. 2025
If all goes well—and this is a huge if, Gialich readily acknowledges—Odin will fly by its target asteroid 301 days later.
—Jonathan M. Gitlin, Ars Technica, 29 Jan. 2025
There was an if-not-now-then-when feeling in Buffalo this week.
—Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 27 Jan. 2025
New experimental and theoretical results, new tools and private sector investment are all adding to our growing sense that developing practical fusion energy is no longer an if but a when.
—Farhat Beg, The Conversation, 8 Jan. 2025
Yes, derivatives can pay off on all sorts of inflationary outcomes (if the counterparty is solvent enough to pay—a big if).
—James Berman, Forbes, 6 Jan. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for if
Noun
-
What becomes more important is the ability to adapt, question assumptions, and think creatively.—
John Winsor,
Forbes.com,
9 July 2025
-
The rates are based on an assumption that workers are paid $15.75 an hour, although there's no requirement for employers to pay that rate.—
Cleo Krejci,
jsonline.com,
8 July 2025
Noun
-
Talking with detainees about living conditions is the most important part of a tour, Eskamani said.—
Kairi Lowery,
The Orlando Sentinel,
13 July 2025
-
Breidenbach told the Statesman that conditions are forecasted to remain relatively hot and dry for the rest of the summer.—
Idaho Statesman,
Idaho Statesman,
12 July 2025
Noun
-
On Tuesday afternoon, when a reporter attempted to ask Bondi about the foreign-intelligence theory and the video-clock issue, Trump cut in.—
Kaitlyn Tiffany,
The Atlantic,
10 July 2025
-
With the biggest advocate for the impact theory gone, the mystery has lingered for decades.—
Mike Bezemek,
Smithsonian Magazine,
10 July 2025
Noun
-
That's in addition to the provisions about immediacy, burden of proof and discussions among doctors and patients.—
Olivia Aldridge,
NPR,
19 July 2025
-
Second, the only external provision to robot metabolism is energy and material in the form of robots or robot parts.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
18 July 2025
Noun
-
Assuming the roster gets back to full health, the givens ahead of Pelle in the rotation would be Tyler Herro, Bam Adebayo, Kel’el Ware, Andrew Wiggins and, perhaps, Davion Mitchell.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
2 Apr. 2025
-
There are some givens in the B’s lineup, as long as there’s good health.—
Steve Conroy,
Boston Herald,
26 Sep. 2024
Noun
-
Select airports have begun to allow passengers to keep their shoes on while going through security checkpoints, and phasing out the requirement could soon extend to all airports nationwide.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
8 July 2025
-
But that all changed in June, when the body overseeing the program -- the National Telecommunications and Information Administration -- sent out a policy notice changing the program's requirements, including removing climate resiliency and middle-class affordability mandates.—
arkansasonline.com,
arkansasonline.com,
8 July 2025
Noun
-
The Street Fight stipulation opens the door for Rodriguez’s fellow Judgment Day members to help her win, which will keep Ripley looking strong even in defeat.—
Blake Oestriecher,
Forbes.com,
28 June 2025
-
The stipulation, which Gerson said is atypical, suggests that the developer and its lender have agreed to work toward a resolution over the 65-day period.—
Jennifer Van Grove,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 June 2025
Noun
-
Assets left running for legitimate business reasons can be tagged with exception authorizations.—
Bojan Ilic,
Forbes.com,
15 July 2025
-
In recent decades, capital punishment has been abandoned or outlawed in most modern nations, the exceptions being countries like Cuba, China, North Korean, Iran — and the United States of America.—
Thomas Wenski,
Sun Sentinel,
13 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“If.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/if. Accessed 23 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share