THEORY Synonyms: 35 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the noun 'theory' differ from other similar words?

The words hypothesis and law are common synonyms of theory . While all three words mean "a formula derived by inference from scientific data that explains a principle operating in nature," theory implies a greater range of evidence and greater likelihood of truth. // the theory of evolution

Q: When would 'hypothesis' be a good substitute for 'theory'?

Although the words hypothesis and theory have much in common, hypothesis implies insufficient evidence to provide more than a tentative explanation. // a hypothesis explaining the extinction of the dinosaurs

Q: When might 'law' be a better fit than 'theory'?

The meanings of law and theory largely overlap; however, law implies a statement of order and relation in nature that has been found to be invariable under the same conditions. // the law of gravitation

theory

noun

ˈthē-ə-rē

Definition of theory next

as in hypothesis

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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How does the noun theory differ from other similar words?

The words hypothesis and law are common synonyms of theory. While all three words mean "a formula derived by inference from scientific data that explains a principle operating in nature," theory implies a greater range of evidence and greater likelihood of truth.

the theory of evolution

When would hypothesis be a good substitute for theory?

Although the words hypothesis and theory have much in common, hypothesis implies insufficient evidence to provide more than a tentative explanation.

a hypothesis explaining the extinction of the dinosaurs

When might law be a better fit than theory?

The meanings of law and theory largely overlap; however, law implies a statement of order and relation in nature that has been found to be invariable under the same conditions.

the law of gravitation

Example Sentences

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Recent Examples of theory The theory holds that a community that rids itself of petty crime, such as shoplifting, vandalism and trespassing, can eradicate more serious crime because criminals won’t have anywhere to hide. —

Julie K. Brown, Miami Herald, 23 Jan. 2025 Renowned Black scholar Thomas Sowell has written volumes discrediting the theory. —

Bruce Fein, Baltimore Sun, 23 Jan. 2025 James Ho, a prominent conservative judge who now sits on the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals and has been floated as one of Trump’s potential Supreme Court nominees, also opposed the theory in a 2009 report for the American Immigration Council. —

Alison Durkee, Forbes, 23 Jan. 2025 Her theory of maternal instinct remains controversial even today. —

Marcy Thompson, Scientific American, 23 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for theory