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
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Recent Examples of if
If Florida is out of the way due to missing Aleksander Barkov (still a big if), the Atlantic really opens up.
—
Sean Gentille, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
The two eventually form an intergenerational friendship that’s genuine, even if its foundation is based on a white lie, and you brace for the inevitable moment — not an if, but a when — of Eleanor getting busted.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 24 Sep. 2025
If the Nefes report proves true—and again that’s a big if—and Russia seeks to buy back S-400s from Turkey to keep its traditional customers onside, that could further bode ill for a delivery of Su-35s or any other advanced weapons systems to Tehran.
—Paul Iddon, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
But Laura isn’t interested in discussing the ifs and buts.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 10 Sep. 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
Sean Gentille, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
The two eventually form an intergenerational friendship that’s genuine, even if its foundation is based on a white lie, and you brace for the inevitable moment — not an if, but a when — of Eleanor getting busted.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 24 Sep. 2025
If the Nefes report proves true—and again that’s a big if—and Russia seeks to buy back S-400s from Turkey to keep its traditional customers onside, that could further bode ill for a delivery of Su-35s or any other advanced weapons systems to Tehran.
—Paul Iddon, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
But Laura isn’t interested in discussing the ifs and buts.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 10 Sep. 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for if
Noun
-
Her existence in the vibrant capital city of Sepphoris brings into questions some of our traditional assumptions of Mary as an impoverished illiterate from a backwater rural village with no exposure to Greco-Roman culture.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
30 Sep. 2025
-
To interrogate our own assumptions, to stay open when experience, dialogue, or suffering presses against us — that is philosophy at its deepest.—
Shai Tubali,
Big Think,
30 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Those over 60 or with certain medical conditions are at a greater risk for severe illness.—
Caroline Neal,
Louisville Courier Journal,
2 Oct. 2025
-
The cubs were discovered alone and in poor condition before beings safely trapped by the UC Davis California Carnivores Program team in coordination with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.—
Maria Azzurra Volpe,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The season drew heavy criticism for its glacial pace and incoherent plotting, generating more Reddit theories than actual scares and leaving viewers more haunted by what could have been.—
James Mercadante,
Entertainment Weekly,
1 Oct. 2025
-
Combining investigative journalism, DNA analysis and cinematic dramatization, the docuseries examines four competing theories about Columbus’ origins and the mystery around the titles bestowed on him by the Catholic Monarchs.—
Emiliano De Pablos,
Variety,
1 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
With the de minimis provision gone, air freight has declined around 30 percent, per Glennon.—
Sarah Jones,
Sourcing Journal,
2 Oct. 2025
-
There were no explicit provisions or agreements with the college in either the land deal transferring the plot from college ownership to the state, nor the deal transferring the property from the state to Trump’s library foundation.—
Claire Heddles,
Miami Herald,
2 Oct. 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
-
Some states have instituted requirements for websites with adult or pornographic content to verify visitors' age before granting access, although tech experts have pointed out VPNs can be used to get around those guardrails.—
Arpan Lobo,
Freep.com,
4 Oct. 2025
-
There will be 223 new apartments available altogether, once the Union at Rose Park is completed, and 165 of those will be considered affordable housing for lower-income residents, a requirement of each development's tax incremental financing.—
Everett Eaton,
jsonline.com,
4 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
But the pro golfer only agreed to participate in the project after production agreed to his filming stipulations.—
Effie Orfanides,
PEOPLE,
29 Sep. 2025
-
Gusman donated the theater under the stipulation that the semi-autonomous Miami Parking Authority would manage the property.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
25 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
One option would require universal permitting, meaning every business that emits the five toxics would need a permit, and another proposal would require universal permitting with some exceptions.—
Noelle Phillips,
Denver Post,
30 Sep. 2025
-
But after three weeks, that 27-13 loss in Green Bay is more of an exception than the rule; Detroit has scored 52, 38 and 34 points since, and now owns the league’s best point margin.—
Jacob Robinson,
New York Times,
30 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“If.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/if. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.
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