hypothetical

adjective

hy·​po·​thet·​i·​cal ˌhī-pə-ˈthe-ti-kəl How to pronounce hypothetical (audio)
Synonyms of hypothetical
: involving or being based on a suggested idea or theory : being or involving a hypothesis : conjectural
hypothetical arguments
a hypothetical situation
hypothetical noun

Synonyms of hypothetical

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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
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.
ChatGPT is not your doctor, although most people are already using it to find out more information about their ailments, hypothetical or otherwise. — Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 13 Oct. 2026 As the hypothetical scenario escalated to possibly involve danger, the call was transferred to a human on the emergency line. — Sarah Horbacewicz, CBS News, 12 Oct. 2026 This specific scenario is still hypothetical, but in general, mapmakers using their powers to litigate factional and personal grievances isn’t hard to imagine. — Jon Allsop, New Yorker, 10 Oct. 2026 This investigation could shed light on the hypothetical collision between Earth and a Mars-sized planetary body called Theia, which is thought to have spilled matter around our planet that coalesced to forge the moon billions of years ago. — Robert Lea, Space.com, 6 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for hypothetical

Word History

First Known Use

1588, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of hypothetical was in 1588

Rhymes for hypothetical

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Browse Nearby Words

hypothesize
hypothetical
hypothetical imperative
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Cite this Entry

“Hypothetical.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hypothetical. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

hypothetical

adjective
hy·​po·​thet·​i·​cal ˌhi-pə-ˈthet-i-kəl How to pronounce hypothetical (audio)
1
: involving a hypothesis or the making of assumptions : assumed
2
: imagined for purposes of example
a hypothetical case
hypothetically
-i-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce hypothetical (audio)
adverb
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