if

noun

ˈif How to pronounce if (audio)
Definition of ifnext
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

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of if And right-hander Tyler Glasnow could take an if-necessary Game 4. — Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 26 Sep. 2026 But that does feel like quite a big if, on the basis of them opening the season with 2-2 draws against Newcastle United and Nottingham Forest. — Nick Miller, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2026 What is not an if is that the NBA Board of Governors have to sign off on the initial sale to Iger and Kushner at their September 15 and 16 meeting in NYC. — Dominic Patten, Deadline, 17 Aug. 2026 Given this history, if Iraq does ultimately end up protecting Kurdistan’s airspace, and that’s definitely a big if, that would certainly be one for the books. — Paul Iddon, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026 Now, remember, all of these ifs depend on a government that remains feckless and people who are too disparate to stop the data center build-out. — Jim Cramer, CNBC, 28 June 2026 That’s a big if, especially for someone who isn’t looking down the road. — Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 3 June 2026 The if, ultimately, hinges on Bryant’s health. — Luca Evans, Denver Post, 26 May 2026 If those gains hold up, tax refunds wear off and the market takes a turn – three big ifs – consumers may start to pull back. — David Goldman, CNN Money, 21 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for if
  1. assumption
  2. condition
  3. theory
  4. provision
  5. given
  6. requirement
  7. stipulation
  8. exception
Noun
  • The firm also cut its price target to $11 from $13 and raised its fuel expense assumption for the third quarter to about $207 million.
    — Paulina Likos, CNBC, 23 Oct. 2026
  • This assumption is oversimplified, and the problem is partly one of accounting.
    — Ben Vanpeperstraete, Footwear News, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of assumption
Noun
  • The company aims to develop a wider lineup of electric-propulsion ships suited to different operating conditions and customer requirements.
    — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 23 Oct. 2026
  • That website works great in the demo—under specific conditions and without users with thumbs for fingers.
    — Brian Jenney, IEEE Spectrum, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of condition
Noun
  • Pike didn’t always have such a cogent theory of the power of the body in performance.
    — Sarah Crompton, Vogue, 21 Oct. 2026
  • The idea that the absence of private property and systematic inequality automatically removes coercion—which forms the core of the Marxist theory of history—is not proven.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of theory
Noun
  • The bill foundered in large part over a provision that would have allowed companies to pay interest on stablecoins.
    — Jeff John Roberts, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2026
  • The provisions included in the legislation named for the late senator aimed to weaken Russia's ability to fund its war against Ukraine by cutting billions from its export revenue.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of provision
Noun
  • There were some givens (the Detroit Tigers’ dealing Tarik Skubal), some surprises (the Baltimore Orioles’ moving on from Adley Rutschman) and plenty of hugs given along the way.
    — Johnny Flores Jr, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Schedule flexibility, reliable childcare, predictable transportation—these are treated as givens in how jobs are designed.
    — Caroline Fairchild, Forbes.com, 27 Mar. 2026
Definition of given
Noun
  • The Spanish Navy and Navantia are working from operational requirements, and the final design must still go through procurement.
    — Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2026
  • American technology therefore qualified for the Commission’s own sovereign cloud requirements through a European operating structure.
    — Margot Edelman, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of requirement
Noun
  • Most residents were in favor of the city considering an enforcement policy, with some stipulations.
    — Madison Smalstig, Sacbee.com, 23 Oct. 2026
  • That stipulation is more likely to affect Cooper than Jacobs.
    — Armando Salguero OutKick, FOXNews.com, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of stipulation
Noun
  • Soft Stonewashed Sheets Sijo LuxeWeave Linen Sheet Set Linen sheets aren’t usually known for being soft, but these are an exception.
    — Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Airbnb said exceptions may apply in certain circumstances, such as requiring guests to put trash in animal-proof containers in areas with bears.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of exception

Phrases Containing if

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idylls
if
if anything
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Cite this Entry

“If.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/if. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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