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

• theoretic
• speculative
• theoretical

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

Internal carbon pricing can range from a purely hypothetical accounting exercise to actual spending on in-house carbon credits, the proceeds from which go into a fund tapped for carbon-cutting activities like energy efficiency upgrades or building onsite renewables. —Tim McDonnell, semafor.com, 4 Sep. 2025

The organization created social media accounts using the ages of hypothetical boys both over and under the age of 18. —Ashleigh N. Deluca, Parents, 4 Sep. 2025

In the end, Ukrainian security guarantees are hypothetical as long as the war continues. —Daniel R. Depetris, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025

In 2024, a child younger than 10 years old is 40% more likely to survive to their next birthday relative to a hypothetical scenario of no historical vaccination. —Bernadette Boden Albala, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 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