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
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Recent Examples of if
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
Routing logic that could have been a single if-statement.
—Aruna Veerappan, Forbes.com, 22 May 2026
But all my ‘what ifs’ were about what will people would think, and that’s a dangerous headspace.
—Marta Balaga, Variety, 23 Apr. 2026
But that’s a big if, and could be the difference between the Valkyries selecting a project like Angloma or a more surefire player that could contribute right away.
—Nathan Canilao, Mercury News, 12 Apr. 2026
That's a huge if against the best front line in the country, though.
—Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Mar. 2026
But the if of the team’s health looms.
—Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 18 Feb. 2026
The if-then paradigm needs to be simplified.
—Michael Isaacson, Sun Sentinel, 6 Jan. 2026
Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 3 June 2026
The if, ultimately, hinges on Bryant’s health.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 26 May 2026
Routing logic that could have been a single if-statement.
—Aruna Veerappan, Forbes.com, 22 May 2026
But all my ‘what ifs’ were about what will people would think, and that’s a dangerous headspace.
—Marta Balaga, Variety, 23 Apr. 2026
But that’s a big if, and could be the difference between the Valkyries selecting a project like Angloma or a more surefire player that could contribute right away.
—Nathan Canilao, Mercury News, 12 Apr. 2026
That's a huge if against the best front line in the country, though.
—Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Mar. 2026
But the if of the team’s health looms.
—Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 18 Feb. 2026
The if-then paradigm needs to be simplified.
—Michael Isaacson, Sun Sentinel, 6 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for if
Noun
-
The working assumption — correctly — is that anything digital taken into China should be treated as potentially compromised.—
Emma Bussey,
FOXNews.com,
11 June 2026
-
There is an assumption of arrogance, of high expectations, of going into every major tournament presuming their team will win it.—
Jack Pitt-Brooke,
New York Times,
10 June 2026
Noun
-
As the decades passed, the crowding and filth in the rapidly growing cities in the industrializing nations of Europe and North America created perfect conditions to fuel epidemic outbreaks that could steal the lives of those of any age or rank, but were most dangerous for the very young.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 June 2026
-
Authorities later confirmed that all 12 victims were in stable condition.—
Michael Sinkewicz,
FOXNews.com,
11 June 2026
Noun
-
Karen Read filed her lawsuit against Canton and the MSP not only to reveal shockingly obscene and racist text messages between key cops investigating her — but also to relitigate the defense theory of conspiracy to frame her.—
Flint McColgan,
Boston Herald,
7 June 2026
-
The theories about what could have happened to Nancy Guthrie, Savannah Guthrie’s mom, are varied.—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
7 June 2026
Noun
-
The agreement reportedly also includes provisions governing future accreditation processes for major sporting events, ensuring workers will not be required to provide the same level of personal information for events such as the Super Bowl or Olympic Games.—
City News Service,
Daily News,
9 June 2026
-
Legislation passed in April to fund most of DHS except ICE and Border Patrol did include provisions that would provide funding for the agency to purchase body cameras, stipulate congressional oversight of detention centers and deescalation training for officers and agents.—
Ximena Bustillo,
NPR,
9 June 2026
Noun
-
Where the show’s values were once givens, almost diorama labels, now they’re presented as more fugitive and unstable, what its characters would hope the world to be.—
Jackson McHenry,
Vulture,
16 Oct. 2025
-
Among geologists, there are givens: Humans don’t build things that last a million years.—
Teri Sforza,
Oc Register,
8 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Under Florida law, any attorney in good standing is eligible to serve as a guardian ad litem in family court without any further requirements.—
Shira Moolten,
Sun Sentinel,
4 June 2026
-
Charles Schwab Learn More Minimum deposit and balance Minimum deposit and balance requirements may vary depending on the investment vehicle selected.—
Liz Knueven,
CNBC,
4 June 2026
Noun
-
In February, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 124 in Kansas City, together with the National Electrical Contractors Association, expressed shock when residents of the lofts turned down the union’s offer to fix the sign for free, with one stipulation.—
Eric Adler,
Kansas City Star,
4 June 2026
-
But what some retirees may not realize is that this account balance comes with certain stipulations if the money is sitting in a traditional IRA or 401(k).—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
3 June 2026
Noun
-
This policy has remained largely consistent through recent seasons and applies across Grand Slams and tour events (with some exceptions like Wimbledon in 2022, which briefly went further and banned them entirely before reversing course).—
Jon Root OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
7 June 2026
-
Carson Hocevar has fond childhood memories of Michigan International Speedway, with one exception.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
7 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“If.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/if. Accessed 12 Jun. 2026.
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