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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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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Recent Examples of hypothetical
Ars Technica, 6 Jan. 2025
What position do people anticipate Alex Bregman playing in Years 3 thru 6 or 7 on a hypothetical free agent deal?
—Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 5 Jan. 2025
Rymer even put together a hypothetical package that could make sense for both sides.
—Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 1 Jan. 2025
While the exact rules of the Game of 20 generally remain unknown, researchers have previously proposed some hypothetical rules for one variant—the Ur game.
—Newsweek, 20 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for hypothetical 
Adjective
Superintelligence is an industry term for a hypothetical AI model that could far surpass human intelligence.
—Ars Technica, 6 Jan. 2025
What position do people anticipate Alex Bregman playing in Years 3 thru 6 or 7 on a hypothetical free agent deal?
—Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 5 Jan. 2025
Rymer even put together a hypothetical package that could make sense for both sides.
—Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 1 Jan. 2025
While the exact rules of the Game of 20 generally remain unknown, researchers have previously proposed some hypothetical rules for one variant—the Ur game.
—Newsweek, 20 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for hypothetical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hypothetical
Noun
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This archetype is essential in a world where assumptions often go unchallenged, stifling creativity and growth.Chris Schembra, Rolling Stone, 10 Jan. 2025
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But the officials and victims assembled in the Situation Room considered whether this assumption was really valid.Shane Harris, The Atlantic, 10 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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The two sides will stop fighting for 42 days, with the aim (again, speculative) of making that cease-fire permanent and ending the war.Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 16 Jan. 2025
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Yes, but: Those plans are dependent on Cleveland-Cliffs acquisition of U.S. Steel and are still only speculative.Sam Allard, Axios, 15 Jan. 2025
Noun
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The previous truth exists as a thorough rejection of modern economic theory promoted by individuals within the Keynesian, monetarist, and Austrian schools.John Tamny, Forbes, 12 Jan. 2025
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Besides the fact that the case against Combs is ongoing, many of these theories do not take into account that there are not-famous people who live in L.A. whose homes are also being destroyed.CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 10 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Each year, the Robot – a naïve stock-picking paradigm, generates a theoretical portfolio of ten very unpopular stocks.John Dorfman, Forbes, 6 Jan. 2025
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Unfortunately, Leibniz became all too fascinated by theoretical questions of dynamics, exasperating the miners.Anthony Gottlieb, The New Yorker, 6 Jan. 2025
Noun
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The link between nomadic lifestyles and ADHD has been proposed before, but in February, a team led by David Barack applied that hypothesis to foraging.Ryan McRae, Smithsonian Magazine, 31 Dec. 2024
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Reducing the amount of acetaldehyde, the hypothesis goes, should also reduce the physical symptoms caused by its buildup.Corinne Purtill, Los Angeles Times, 30 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near hypothetical
Cite this Entry
“Hypothetical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hypothetical. Accessed 20 Jan. 2025.
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