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
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Recent Examples of if
But Laura isn’t interested in discussing the ifs and buts.
—
Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 10 Sep. 2025
Human judgment has always been more than an if/else statement.
—Vikas Aron, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025
And that remains, at best, a very big if.
—Andrei Lankov, Time, 21 Aug. 2025
If rookie first-rounder Josh Simmons holds up at left tackle, this group should be solid, but that's another big if.
—Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Aug. 2025
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
Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 10 Sep. 2025
Human judgment has always been more than an if/else statement.
—Vikas Aron, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025
And that remains, at best, a very big if.
—Andrei Lankov, Time, 21 Aug. 2025
If rookie first-rounder Josh Simmons holds up at left tackle, this group should be solid, but that's another big if.
—Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Aug. 2025
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for if
Noun
-
Success comes from choosing intentionally based on individual goals, financial circumstances, and career objectives rather than following outdated assumptions about what career preparation requires.—
Sarah Hernholm,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
-
Contrary to popular assumptions, children experiencing food insecurity do not necessarily appear underweight.—
Oona Hanson,
CNN Money,
16 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The economic conditions have put Fed policymakers in a bind.—
Max Zahn,
ABC News,
11 Sep. 2025
-
Then, in June, Lyles cast the tiebreaking vote deciding not to study ways to improve working conditions for airport employees.—
Nick Sullivan,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The most effective education models are those that blend theory with real-world practice.—
Sanjay Srivastava,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Testing particle physics theories, the $8 billion LHC was composed of superconducting magnets that allowed scientists to study subatomic particles including protons, electrons, quarks and photons.—
Lorenzino Estrada,
AZCentral.com,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Becoming tax competitive globally, both in terms of absolute rates and tax design, by adopting tax provisions that reduce tax barriers to investment and capital formation.—
Alden Abbott,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
-
Around half of homeless people work, according to a 2021 study, and could be swept up in the order’s provisions.—
Idaho Statesman,
Idaho Statesman,
11 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Private cloud is also where organizations can focus on delivering AI and what’s next, knowing that security, governance and compliance are givens rather than points of concern.—
Patrick Moorhead,
Forbes.com,
26 Aug. 2025
-
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
Noun
-
Then, in January 2025, the government introduced a Social Media Bill that placed further requirements on social media platforms.—
Nir Kshetri,
The Conversation,
14 Sep. 2025
-
Over the years, the government's reporting requirements have changed, which makes historical comparisons a little tricky.—
Christopher Elliott,
Forbes.com,
14 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
This is no accident, as stipulations in the language of the incentive allow the dealer, not the purchaser, to be considered the owner allowing the lessee ability to gain the benefit of the credit regardless of income.—
Hughey Newsome,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Michigan, Ohio, the territory of Puerto Rico and other states have specific stipulations regarding anonymity.—
Amaris Encinas,
USA Today,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The narrow exception to free speech that the Justice Department can prosecute is incitement or threats of imminent harm, but these exceptions are incredibly limited.—
Jack Birle,
The Washington Examiner,
17 Sep. 2025
-
When exceptions arise, who has the authority—and the context—to decide?—
Matthew Sweeney,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“If.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/if. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
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