hypothesize

verb

hy·​poth·​e·​size hī-ˈpä-thə-ˌsīz How to pronounce hypothesize (audio)
hypothesized; hypothesizing

transitive verb

: to adopt as a hypothesis

Examples of hypothesize in a Sentence

Psychologists hypothesized that his odd behavior was caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain. if we hypothesize that current population trends continue for the next 50 years
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
For example, students might calculate the ratios of tooth dimensions, explore geometric properties of triangles, or hypothesize about prehistoric shark nurseries based on tooth size distributions! Melissa Cristina Marquez, Forbes, 14 Jan. 2025 One group hypothesizes that the sensation happens after decreasing blood pressure and muscle tissue relaxation causes your brain to misfire and briefly enter a panic mode. Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 13 Nov. 2024 Salinas hypothesized that these species may have colonized the fish brains early in their development, before their blood-brain barriers had fully formed. Yasemin Saplakoglu, WIRED, 5 Jan. 2025 Others have hypothesized that a SARS-CoV-2 infection may triggers an autoimmune disease or the reactivation of Epstein-Barr virus. Dave Wessner, Forbes, 30 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for hypothesize 

Word History

First Known Use

1738, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of hypothesize was in 1738

Dictionary Entries Near hypothesize

Cite this Entry

“Hypothesize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hypothesize. Accessed 23 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

hypothesize

verb
hy·​poth·​e·​size hī-ˈpäth-ə-ˌsīz How to pronounce hypothesize (audio)
hypothesized; hypothesizing
1
: to make a hypothesis
2
: to adopt as a hypothesis

More from Merriam-Webster on hypothesize

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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