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
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
Some theories propose a colossal asteroid impact redistributed the moon’s interior, while others suggest the moon once had a smaller sibling that merged unevenly, enriching the near side with heat-producing elements.
—Samantha Mathewson, Space.com, 30 Sep. 2025
According to the researchers, the sharp and sudden rise in brightness rules out existing theories regarding the little red dots.
—Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 30 Sep. 2025
About two years ago, Liu presented a paper to Jauregui that suggested problems in some existing theories about quantum stuff that are far too intricate to describe here.
—Andre Mouchard, Oc Register, 28 Sep. 2025
As the investigation continues, Stephens and Harrell have their own theories about what occurred.
—Sam Gillette, PEOPLE, 27 Sep. 2025
But people have their theories.
—Mitch Moxley, Rolling Stone, 27 Sep. 2025
Johnson, whom President Joe Biden nominated to the bench last year, identified a number of problems in Gaines’ legal theories.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 26 Sep. 2025
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
Some theories propose a colossal asteroid impact redistributed the moon’s interior, while others suggest the moon once had a smaller sibling that merged unevenly, enriching the near side with heat-producing elements.
—Samantha Mathewson, Space.com, 30 Sep. 2025
According to the researchers, the sharp and sudden rise in brightness rules out existing theories regarding the little red dots.
—Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 30 Sep. 2025
About two years ago, Liu presented a paper to Jauregui that suggested problems in some existing theories about quantum stuff that are far too intricate to describe here.
—Andre Mouchard, Oc Register, 28 Sep. 2025
As the investigation continues, Stephens and Harrell have their own theories about what occurred.
—Sam Gillette, PEOPLE, 27 Sep. 2025
But people have their theories.
—Mitch Moxley, Rolling Stone, 27 Sep. 2025
Johnson, whom President Joe Biden nominated to the bench last year, identified a number of problems in Gaines’ legal theories.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 26 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for theories
hypotheses
Noun
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None of those jack-of-all-trades models came up with the hypotheses that proved experimentally correct.—
Elie Dolgin,
IEEE Spectrum,
25 Sep. 2025
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Danish police Chief Superintendent Jens Jespersen told reporters on Tuesday authorities were investigating several hypotheses, including the possibility that the drones were launched from ships.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
23 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Theories.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/theories. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
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