hypothetical

adjective

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

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.
Consider this hypothetical; a customer signs a contract to buy the Evolv Express and subscribe to its software. Jesse Silvertown, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024 From these observations, researchers calculated the position of a hypothetical planet, then pointed their best telescopes there. Shi En Kim, Smithsonian Magazine, 5 Nov. 2024 In a hypothetical redo of the 2020 presidential election with the new electoral voting map, Biden would have still won, but his margin would have been smaller. Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024 Even the hypothetical secession of Texas might fall short of provoking civil war. Charles Bethea, The New Yorker, 4 Nov. 2024 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

Dictionary Entries Near hypothetical

Cite this Entry

“Hypothetical.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hypothetical. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.

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 adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on hypothetical

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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