THEORY Synonyms: 35 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the noun 'theory' differ from other similar words?

The words hypothesis and law are common synonyms of theory . While all three words mean "a formula derived by inference from scientific data that explains a principle operating in nature," theory implies a greater range of evidence and greater likelihood of truth. // the theory of evolution

Q: When would 'hypothesis' be a good substitute for 'theory'?

Although the words hypothesis and theory have much in common, hypothesis implies insufficient evidence to provide more than a tentative explanation. // a hypothesis explaining the extinction of the dinosaurs

Q: When might 'law' be a better fit than 'theory'?

The meanings of law and theory largely overlap; however, law implies a statement of order and relation in nature that has been found to be invariable under the same conditions. // the law of gravitation

theory

noun

ˈthē-ə-rē

Definition of theory next

as in hypothesis

an idea that is the starting point for making a case or conducting an investigation set out to prove her theory that people can't really taste any difference between colas, so they buy according to the product's image

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How does the noun theory differ from other similar words?

The words hypothesis and law are common synonyms of theory. While all three words mean "a formula derived by inference from scientific data that explains a principle operating in nature," theory implies a greater range of evidence and greater likelihood of truth.

the theory of evolution

When would hypothesis be a good substitute for theory?

Although the words hypothesis and theory have much in common, hypothesis implies insufficient evidence to provide more than a tentative explanation.

a hypothesis explaining the extinction of the dinosaurs

When might law be a better fit than theory?

The meanings of law and theory largely overlap; however, law implies a statement of order and relation in nature that has been found to be invariable under the same conditions.

the law of gravitation

Example Sentences

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Recent Examples of theory Her work doesn’t begin with theory or concept but with her body and her many surprising musical seductions. —

Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times, 14 Feb. 2025 Expanding on Bowlby’s theory, American-Canadian psychologist Mary Ainsworth defined three types of attachments: secure, insecure-avoidant, and insecure-ambivalent/resistant. —

Samantha Mann, Parents, 14 Feb. 2025 Future studies by ourselves and others will put our theory of mankeeping to the test. —

Angelica Puzio Ferrara, Scientific American, 14 Feb. 2025 The prosecution’s theory is that Vo killed Ly in a bedroom of their San Pablo home, picked up Tran at a senior care home in Oakland, drove her back to San Pablo and killed her too. —

Nate Gartrell, The Mercury News, 14 Feb. 2025 See all Example Sentences for theory