1
as in assumption
something taken as being true or factual and used as a starting point for a course of action or reasoning
your conclusion may turn out to be accurate, but you're postulating a lot of ifs
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in condition
something upon which the carrying out of an agreement or offer depends
there are a number of ifs in the proposal
Synonyms & Similar Words
Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of if
There’s no if’s, and’s or but’s about it: the Rangers can’t waste this opportunity against a tanking opponent.
—
Shawn McFarland, Dallas News, 6 Sep. 2023
There’s no questions or ifs or buts, that is the end of it.
—Herb Scribner, Washington Post, 9 Aug. 2023
But still, they should be haunted by the if-onlys.
—Walter Shapiro, The New Republic, 9 Feb. 2023
As a result, discontent with the manager is growing, and with a 7 ½-month gap between the end of qualifying and the start of this fall’s World Cup in Qatar, this would be the time to make a change - if, indeed, a change is coming.
—Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 29 Mar. 2022
On Monday, Circa Sports posted Georgia as a 3-point favorite - with the over/under at 50.5 - if, or when, the Tide clinches the SEC West.
—Mark Heim | Mheim@al.com, al, 15 Nov. 2021
OOF: If the Senate manages to pass its health-care bill -- and that's a mammoth IF -- the House seems ready to give it the nod, too, my colleague Paul Kane writes.
—Paige Winfield Cunningham, Washington Post, 17 July 2017
But if all goes as planned – a big IF in the restaurant business –
—Mark Kurlyandchik, Detroit Free Press, 12 July 2017
Shawn McFarland, Dallas News, 6 Sep. 2023
There’s no questions or ifs or buts, that is the end of it.
—Herb Scribner, Washington Post, 9 Aug. 2023
But still, they should be haunted by the if-onlys.
—Walter Shapiro, The New Republic, 9 Feb. 2023
As a result, discontent with the manager is growing, and with a 7 ½-month gap between the end of qualifying and the start of this fall’s World Cup in Qatar, this would be the time to make a change - if, indeed, a change is coming.
—Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 29 Mar. 2022
On Monday, Circa Sports posted Georgia as a 3-point favorite - with the over/under at 50.5 - if, or when, the Tide clinches the SEC West.
—Mark Heim | Mheim@al.com, al, 15 Nov. 2021
OOF: If the Senate manages to pass its health-care bill -- and that's a mammoth IF -- the House seems ready to give it the nod, too, my colleague Paul Kane writes.
—Paige Winfield Cunningham, Washington Post, 17 July 2017
But if all goes as planned – a big IF in the restaurant business –
—Mark Kurlyandchik, Detroit Free Press, 12 July 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for if
Noun
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This potential harm stems from two untested assumptions: 1.Gregory Francis, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024
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Cramer examined why each stock saw gains, attributing some of their recent successes to the assumption that President-elect Donald Trump’s new regulators will largely abandon efforts to curb big business’ power.Julie Coleman, CNBC, 11 Dec. 2024
Noun
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San Francisco police provided Mangione’s name to the FBI on Dec. 5, according to a law enforcement official was not authorized to publicly discuss details of the investigation and spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity.Michael R. Sisak, Chicago Tribune, 14 Dec. 2024
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Israel’s defense minister, Israel Katz, on Friday ordered the military to prepare for the harsh conditions of winter deployment.Mick Krever, CNN, 14 Dec. 2024
Noun
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But when a 14-year-old girl was found dead soon after in the same manner, this time without cocaine in her system, police began to question the theory.Shira Moolten, Sun Sentinel, 13 Dec. 2024
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This idea that collaborative learning is a propulsive force is much more than a theory based on my nerdy friends.Kevin Kruse, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024
Noun
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President-elect Trump has vowed to rescind unspent funds earmarked for climate provisions contained in the Inflation Reduction Act, a signature piece of legislation signed by President Biden in 2022.Joshua P. Cohen, Forbes, 9 Dec. 2024
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In April, President Biden signed into law a provision that allows for TikTok to be banned in the U.S. if it wasn’t sold within nine months, which is Jan. 19.Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 8 Dec. 2024
Noun
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About the only givens seemingly would be Bam Adebayo making first-team All-Defense for the first time, after second-team such nods the past four seasons, and Jaime Jaquez Jr. making first-team All-Rookie.Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 13 Apr. 2024
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My parents came over to the U.S. from Ireland in 1959 and education and hard work were just givens.Ayesha Javed, TIME, 3 Nov. 2024
Noun
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First, a Pennsylvania court will determine if the legal requirements for extradition are met.Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 10 Dec. 2024
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New apps and frameworks are being released all the time along with hardware specs as well as energy and cooling requirements, which all contribute to the confusion.Hugo Farinha, Forbes, 10 Dec. 2024
Noun
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The attorney general's office quickly followed by filing a stipulation that the 15-week law violates the Arizona Constitution and that the state won't enforce it.Jeremy Duda, Axios, 3 Dec. 2024
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The parties filed a joint stipulation on Sunday dropping the case, and the judge issued notices Tuesday that pending motions would be withdrawn.Gene Maddaus, Variety, 27 Nov. 2024
Noun
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Both retailers have exceptions to their return policies, including non-returnable items and items with shorter return windows.James Powel, USA TODAY, 7 Dec. 2024
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While forced fun/table games is my pet peeve, something about Christmas makes this time of year an exception.Felicity Carter, Forbes, 6 Dec. 2024
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Cite this Entry
“If.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/if. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.
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