hypothetical
adjective
hy·po·thet·i·cal
ˌhī-pə-ˈthe-ti-kəl 
: 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
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
The potential for prefab to capture a large share of the fire recovery and speed its progress is still only hypothetical.
—
Los Angeles Times,
7 July 2026
More than 30 years ago, researchers discovered that hypothetical computers based on the laws of quantum physics would be able to rapidly solve difficult math problems.
—
Ben Brubaker,
Quanta Magazine,
6 July 2026
Star City takes us to the other side of the Iron Curtain, exploring this hypothetical scenario from the Soviet side.
—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
4 July 2026
The left-wing group Data for Progress released a poll after Ocasio-Cortez’s government funding criticism showing her ahead by double digits in a hypothetical primary.
—
David Sivak,
The Washington Examiner,
4 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for hypothetical
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Los Angeles Times,
7 July 2026
More than 30 years ago, researchers discovered that hypothetical computers based on the laws of quantum physics would be able to rapidly solve difficult math problems.
—
Ben Brubaker,
Quanta Magazine,
6 July 2026
Star City takes us to the other side of the Iron Curtain, exploring this hypothetical scenario from the Soviet side.
—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
4 July 2026
The left-wing group Data for Progress released a poll after Ocasio-Cortez’s government funding criticism showing her ahead by double digits in a hypothetical primary.
—
David Sivak,
The Washington Examiner,
4 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for hypothetical
Cite this Entry
“Hypothetical.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hypothetical. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
hypothetical
adjective
hy·po·thet·i·cal
ˌhi-pə-ˈthet-i-kəl
1
: involving a hypothesis or the making of assumptions : assumed
2
: imagined for purposes of example
a hypothetical case
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