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
-
Calculated under standard assumptions, this revenue would cover about two-thirds of the primary deficit impact of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) over the next five years—more if temporary OBBBA provisions expire on schedule.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
4 Nov. 2025
-
Whoever wins, assumptions about what matters in politics are taking a beating.—
Newsweek Staff,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
These plans are gaining in appeal in some cases for younger Americans without existing health conditions, to save them from paying for full coverage.—
Jasmine Laws,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
-
These conditions make travel difficult.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
The special explores theories about why the thieves targeted specific displays, who orchestrated this brazen operation and which fatal flaws in their plan ultimately led to their capture.—
Peter White,
Deadline,
5 Nov. 2025
-
The showgirl theory also holds in that fashion diapers seem to have taken off almost only among celebrities.—
Julie Beck,
The Atlantic,
5 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
The court overturned a previous ruling that had voided military trials of civilians and restored contentious provisions of the Pakistan Army Act that permitted such trials.—
Rafia Zakaria,
Time,
6 Nov. 2025
-
However, Democrats say Republicans could end the shutdown by agreeing to certain health care provisions, including an extension of Affordable Care Act tax credits.—
Aria Bendix,
NBC news,
6 Nov. 2025
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
-
Qualls will face regular work reporting requirements, more frequent eligibility checks, as well as the quarterly wage checks that Louisiana Medicaid already conducts.—
NPR,
NPR,
25 Oct. 2025
-
The chief appraiser then ensures each of the nominees are in good standing with the property tax code’s requirements.—
Rachel Royster,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
24 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Most allow same-day registration on Election Day, though some have stipulations such as applying only to presidential elections or being available only through early voting.—
Mary Walrath-Holdridge,
USA Today,
4 Nov. 2025
-
Part of the settlement agreement included stipulations for Paramount to release 60 Minutes transcripts of interviews with presidential candidates post-air.—
McKinley Franklin,
HollywoodReporter,
31 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Excellence will become the expectation across government, not the exception.—
TIME Video,
Time,
5 Nov. 2025
-
The only exception is if the registration deadline falls on a Sunday or legal holiday, according to the Secretary of State website.—
Mariyam Muhammad,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
4 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“If.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/if. Accessed 7 Nov. 2025.
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