hypothetically
adverb
hy·po·thet·i·cal·ly
ˌhī-pə-ˈthe-ti-k(ə-)lē 
: by making an assumption for the sake of discussion or argument : in a hypothetical way
speaking hypothetically
In this lucid report … he uses genetic differences, maps, computer simulations and an analysis of linguistic changes in the world's languages to hypothetically reconstruct the mass migrations of people across continents since modern humans first appeared.—
Genevieve Stuttaford
Genevieve StuttafordWe asked ourselves hypothetically: If the chairmen of the boards of these major tobacco companies walked in here today and said, "Okay, we're ready to do a deal," what did we want?—Lewis H. Lapham
—used to suggest what is theoretically possibleLewis H. LaphamHypothetically, you could use a computer to synthesize a large number of harmonics, add them back together, and reproduce a sound similar to that of the bowed violin string.—Dragan Huterer
Dragan HutererExamples of hypothetically in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
For instance, hypothetically, if LNG projects currently under construction get delayed by six months up to a year, their cumulative production volumes could be shifted to later years making a difference of as much as 24 months.
—Gaurav Sharma, Forbes.com, 3 July 2025
If Rodrigues hypothetically were to be dealt, that would jump Florida’s cap space to $22 million.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 23 June 2025
In other words, a media deal that (hypothetically) spins off $8 million per school would remain at $8 million, not drop to $7.5 million (or less) with the Tigers on board.
—Jon Wilner, Mercury News, 20 June 2025
For the purpose of the art of the deal, the threat of a universal tariff, currently at 10% but hypothetically due to rebound to the ridiculous reciprocal rates of 30% or 40% on key allies at the end of the 90-day pause in July, is a compelling one.
—Tiana Lowe Doescher, The Washington Examiner, 6 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for hypothetically
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.
Gaurav Sharma, Forbes.com, 3 July 2025
If Rodrigues hypothetically were to be dealt, that would jump Florida’s cap space to $22 million.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 23 June 2025
In other words, a media deal that (hypothetically) spins off $8 million per school would remain at $8 million, not drop to $7.5 million (or less) with the Tigers on board.
—Jon Wilner, Mercury News, 20 June 2025
For the purpose of the art of the deal, the threat of a universal tariff, currently at 10% but hypothetically due to rebound to the ridiculous reciprocal rates of 30% or 40% on key allies at the end of the 90-day pause in July, is a compelling one.
—Tiana Lowe Doescher, The Washington Examiner, 6 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for hypothetically
Cite this Entry
“Hypothetically.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hypothetically. Accessed 16 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share