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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Geoffrey Skelley, ABC News, 26 Feb. 2025
The study found that a hypothetical investor with even the worst market timing crushed the returns of one who stayed in cash between 2003 and 2022.
—Dev Patnaik, Forbes, 23 Feb. 2025
No more debating whether a spot should go to the most deserving team or the team that would be favored in a hypothetical matchup.
—Ralph D. Russo, The Athletic, 21 Feb. 2025
That report is expected by June, setting up another hypothetical showdown on the incinerator question in July, according to the schedule laid out by Chair Anthony Rodriguez, a Republican representing parts of western Miami-Dade.
—Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 20 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hypothetical
Adjective
Using this hypothetical outcome, Democrats and left-leaning allies would have around 259 seats while the GOP and its right-leaning allies would have around 226 — a sizable majority for Democrats.
—Geoffrey Skelley, ABC News, 26 Feb. 2025
The study found that a hypothetical investor with even the worst market timing crushed the returns of one who stayed in cash between 2003 and 2022.
—Dev Patnaik, Forbes, 23 Feb. 2025
No more debating whether a spot should go to the most deserving team or the team that would be favored in a hypothetical matchup.
—Ralph D. Russo, The Athletic, 21 Feb. 2025
That report is expected by June, setting up another hypothetical showdown on the incinerator question in July, according to the schedule laid out by Chair Anthony Rodriguez, a Republican representing parts of western Miami-Dade.
—Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 20 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hypothetical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hypothetical
Noun
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However, many professionals in the field are beginning to acknowledge that these requirements stem from outdated assumptions.—
Jesse Rhoades,
The Conversation,
11 Mar. 2025
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This idea shines in Curiosity Collects More Customers, where Ridge explains that leaders must constantly challenge their own assumptions and seek fresh perspectives—whether from employees, customers, or even competitors.—
Nell Derick Debevoise,
Forbes,
11 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Implementing stronger oversight for speculative assets.—
Susie Violet Ward,
Forbes,
18 Mar. 2025
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Any financial instruments mentioned herein are speculative in nature and may involve risk to principal and interest.—
Katie Stockton,
CNBC,
17 Mar. 2025
Noun
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This is a theory that has been championed by Polish theoretical physicist Nikodem Poplawski of the University of New Haven.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
13 Mar. 2025
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The theory is soon put to rest, though, when Rivera Garza starts receiving strange messages from the killer, signed with the names of different female artists.—
Nicolás Medina Mora,
The Atlantic,
13 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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This isn’t just theoretical—Ben & Jerry’s founders have openly discussed buying back the brand from Unilever.—
Stephanie Gravalese,
Forbes,
20 Mar. 2025
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The best theoretical fit thus far is known as the Lambda CDM model, which incorporates both a weakly interacting cold dark matter and dark energy.—
Jennifer Ouellette,
Ars Technica,
19 Mar. 2025
Noun
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The causes of both events had been long debated, however one hypothesis has linked them to depletions in the Earth's protective ozone layer, such as might be caused by a supernova going off in local space.—
David Faris,
Newsweek,
17 Mar. 2025
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The leading explanation for all of these mysteries is known as the giant impact hypothesis.—
Paul Sutter,
Space.com,
17 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hypothetical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hypothetical. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.
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