as in theoretic
existing only as an assumption or speculation
we talked about what we would do in various hypothetical emergencies
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in assumption
something taken as being true or factual and used as a starting point for a course of action or reasoning
believes that predictions of the extinction of certain species as the result of global warming are based upon too many hypotheticals
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of hypothetical
Geoffrey Skelley, ABC News, 26 Feb. 2025
The study found that a hypothetical investor with even the worst market timing crushed the returns of one who stayed in cash between 2003 and 2022.
—Dev Patnaik, Forbes, 23 Feb. 2025
No more debating whether a spot should go to the most deserving team or the team that would be favored in a hypothetical matchup.
—Ralph D. Russo, The Athletic, 21 Feb. 2025
That report is expected by June, setting up another hypothetical showdown on the incinerator question in July, according to the schedule laid out by Chair Anthony Rodriguez, a Republican representing parts of western Miami-Dade.
—Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 20 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hypothetical
Adjective
Using this hypothetical outcome, Democrats and left-leaning allies would have around 259 seats while the GOP and its right-leaning allies would have around 226 — a sizable majority for Democrats.
—Geoffrey Skelley, ABC News, 26 Feb. 2025
The study found that a hypothetical investor with even the worst market timing crushed the returns of one who stayed in cash between 2003 and 2022.
—Dev Patnaik, Forbes, 23 Feb. 2025
No more debating whether a spot should go to the most deserving team or the team that would be favored in a hypothetical matchup.
—Ralph D. Russo, The Athletic, 21 Feb. 2025
That report is expected by June, setting up another hypothetical showdown on the incinerator question in July, according to the schedule laid out by Chair Anthony Rodriguez, a Republican representing parts of western Miami-Dade.
—Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 20 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hypothetical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hypothetical
Noun
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The idea of receiving free money taps into our natural aversion to missing out and the default assumption that any message appearing to be from the government is legitimate.—
Shahar Ziv,
Forbes,
27 Feb. 2025
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People will chew on the Broadway first of an Othello directed and lead-produced by black men—Leon and Brian Anthony Moreland, respectively—and cut their assumptions about that to fit their pre-existing views.—
Maya Singer,
Vogue,
27 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Proxima Kosmos launched Saturday featuring a sweeping interactive digital platform, films and a limited-run zine that expands the speculative universe through essays, art and storytelling.—
Leslie Katz,
Forbes,
6 Mar. 2025
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Some commentators don’t like the idea of potentially using taxpayer funds to backstop the price of crypto, a speculative digital asset with limited (some would say nonexistent) underlying value.—
Allison Morrow,
CNN,
4 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Follow Di Placido for more meme explainers, television reviews, film theories and deep dives into digital culture.—
Dani Di Placido,
Forbes,
28 Feb. 2025
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And one of my favorite things is looking at other people’s fan theories online.—
Ethan Shanfeld,
Variety,
28 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Innovation should be practical and actionable, not just theoretical.—
Cheryl Robinson,
Forbes,
8 Mar. 2025
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Here's How To Remove Toxic 'Forever Chemicals' The Next Steps for Finding Answers Scientists have identified several theoretical ways that microplastics could contribute to cancer.—
Claire Bugos,
Verywell Health,
7 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Colossal said its woolly mouse would enable its scientists to test hypotheses about the link between specific DNA sequences and physical traits that enabled the mammoth, which went extinct around 4,000 years ago, to adapt to life in cold climates.—
Katie Hunt,
CNN,
4 Mar. 2025
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The hypothesis was that higher VO2 max would be associated with less brain shrinkage with age, which in turn would be associated with better cognitive scores.—
Alex Hutchinson,
Outside Online,
28 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hypothetical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hypothetical. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.
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