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
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
-
The assumption is that Jones will be the primary backup to Anthony Richardson, but the Colts are leaving that up to the players to convince the coaching staff based on their performances in training camp and the preseason.—
Justin Grasso,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 June 2025
-
In the trust game, the default assumption might be that others are trustworthy.—
Tobias Kalenscher,
Scientific American,
13 June 2025
Noun
-
The woman was listed in stable condition at an area hospital, according to police.—
Michelle Deal-Zimmerman,
Baltimore Sun,
19 June 2025
-
What Causes Cockroaches? A cockroach in the home isn't always a sign of unsanitary conditions.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
18 June 2025
Noun
-
By cultivating a multitude of such microbial habitats, the researchers can compare them and develop theories of how ecological communities work.—
Gabriel Popkin,
Quanta Magazine,
16 June 2025
-
Lewis links our veneration of individual genius to the popularity of the Great Man theory of history.—
S. C. Cornell,
New Yorker,
16 June 2025
Noun
-
But several provisions in the bill, which the House of Representatives passed in a largely party-line 215-214 vote in May 2025, could cause millions of Americans enrolled in Medicaid to lose their health insurance coverage, according to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office.—
Simon F. Haeder,
The Conversation,
13 June 2025
-
Still, Democrats see the tactic as their best shot at potentially convincing enough congressional Republicans to save the climate provisions that were among former President Joe Biden’s legislative achievements.—
Ramsey Touchberry,
The Washington Examiner,
13 June 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
-
In the best of circumstances, introducing a work requirement would take meticulous planning and investment.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
14 June 2025
-
While Hochul’s executive order bars the State Police from cooperating with immigration enforcement, the same isn’t true for the state’s myriad local cops, which have a patchwork of requirements; NYC has its own prohibitions but Rotterdam, clearly, does not.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
14 June 2025
Noun
-
Given the last-chance stipulation, expect Becky Lynch to prevail as a strong favorite, thereby becoming the second-ever women’s Intercontinental champion.—
Alfred Konuwa,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2025
-
The stipulation would bar eligibility for families with undocumented parents or parents on non-working visas, as well as families where only one parent can obtain a Social Security number.—
Aliss Higham,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 June 2025
Noun
-
Residents aged 18 or older are permitted to own a firearm, with some exceptions allowing 16-year-olds to acquire guns for hunting purposes.—
Solcyré Burga,
Time,
10 June 2025
-
There are exceptions, but there’s just no comparison.—
Hugh McIntyre,
Forbes.com,
10 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“If.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/if. Accessed 25 Jun. 2025.
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