hypothetical

adjective

hy·​po·​thet·​i·​cal ˌhī-pə-ˈthe-ti-kəl 

: involving or being based on a suggested idea or theory : being or involving a hypothesis : conjectural

hypothetical arguments

a hypothetical situation

hypothetical noun

Synonyms of hypothetical

• theoretical
• speculative

Examples of hypothetical in a Sentence

She described a hypothetical case to clarify her point.

we talked about what we would do in various hypothetical emergencies

Recent Examples on the Web

In the infamous 1971 Stanford prison experiment, for example, psychologists assigned study participants to serve either as a hypothetical guard or as a hypothetical prisoner and found that the guards quickly turned abusive. —Caleb Pomeroy, Foreign Affairs, 24 Dec. 2025

This hypothetical, far from alleviating concerns about leaks, illustrates the potential for infinitely more nefarious scenarios, involving human viruses. —Andrew Noymer, Oc Register, 24 Dec. 2025

The couple began sketching a hypothetical blueprint grounded in unspoiled land, deep integration with local communities, environmentally respectful architecture, and a model that could be replicated elsewhere. —Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 23 Dec. 2025

This impact is not hypothetical. —Uché Blackstock, Time, 23 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1588, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for hypothetical

• alphabetical
• antithetical
• arithmetical
• catechetical
• exegetical
• homiletical
• parenthetical
• theoretical
• aesthetical
• genetical
• heretical
• magnetical

Kids Definition

hypothetical

adjective

hy·​po·​thet·​i·​cal ˌhi-pə-ˈthet-i-kəl 

1

: involving a hypothesis or the making of assumptions : assumed

2

: imagined for purposes of example

a hypothetical case

hypothetically

-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb