as in hypotheses
an idea that is the starting point for making a case or conducting an investigation
set out to prove her theory that people can't really taste any difference between colas, so they buy according to the product's image
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Recent Examples of theories
Anderson has offered a few theories for why proximity helps.
—
Hanna Wickes,
Miami Herald,
26 June 2026
Several members of the Kansas City Chiefs have booked rooms at the Marriott Marquis in Times Square around July 3, sources told The Times, further fueling theories that Kelce's teammates could be gathering in New York for a major celebration.
—
Dave Quinn,
PEOPLE,
25 June 2026
Since February 20, Manon’s role in the group has been a consistent topic on social media, with fans online monitoring the group’s every move and generating their own theories on what’s been happening.
—
Elizabeth Gulino,
Allure,
25 June 2026
Failure-to-warn claims were part of most Roundup lawsuits and are generally considered easier to prove than other legal theories.
—
Diana Novak Jones,
USA Today,
25 June 2026
But after that day came and went without a wedding, theories moved onto another day.
—
Maya Georgi,
Rolling Stone,
25 June 2026
A lot of people had reactions, comments, and theories regarding Lizzy’s story yesterday on the mystery patient who received retatrutide.
—
Theresa Gaffney,
STAT,
24 June 2026
Some theories exist around why body doubling might work for some of us.
—
Sarah Lindenfeld Hall,
Popular Science,
24 June 2026
The narrative conjures meaning from the Los Angeles cityscape by fusing a hodgepodge of textbook theories about the sprawling metropolis onto the gritty reality of daily life.
—
Los Angeles Times,
22 June 2026
Hanna Wickes,
Miami Herald,
26 June 2026
Several members of the Kansas City Chiefs have booked rooms at the Marriott Marquis in Times Square around July 3, sources told The Times, further fueling theories that Kelce's teammates could be gathering in New York for a major celebration.
—
Dave Quinn,
PEOPLE,
25 June 2026
Since February 20, Manon’s role in the group has been a consistent topic on social media, with fans online monitoring the group’s every move and generating their own theories on what’s been happening.
—
Elizabeth Gulino,
Allure,
25 June 2026
Failure-to-warn claims were part of most Roundup lawsuits and are generally considered easier to prove than other legal theories.
—
Diana Novak Jones,
USA Today,
25 June 2026
But after that day came and went without a wedding, theories moved onto another day.
—
Maya Georgi,
Rolling Stone,
25 June 2026
A lot of people had reactions, comments, and theories regarding Lizzy’s story yesterday on the mystery patient who received retatrutide.
—
Theresa Gaffney,
STAT,
24 June 2026
Some theories exist around why body doubling might work for some of us.
—
Sarah Lindenfeld Hall,
Popular Science,
24 June 2026
The narrative conjures meaning from the Los Angeles cityscape by fusing a hodgepodge of textbook theories about the sprawling metropolis onto the gritty reality of daily life.
—
Los Angeles Times,
22 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for theories
Noun
-
Science is designed to estimate risk, test hypotheses, identify patterns, and reduce the likelihood of false causal inference.
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Scientists have two hypotheses for the formation of supermassive black hole seeds.
Noun
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The Daily Monitor reported on Sunday that military personnel had been deployed at NMG’s premises in the capital, Kampala, and that staff were being prevented from leaving or entering the premises.
-
However, the new island hotel isn't just a smart space with robots assisting human staff throughout the premises.
Cite this Entry
“Theories.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/theories. Accessed 1 Jul. 2026.
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