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
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 Singularity This is a hypothetical point in the future where AI surpasses human intelligence and begins to improve itself autonomously and exponentially.
—
Bernard Marr, Forbes, 16 Aug. 2024
That may change in the future, but such capabilities will be based on hypothetical technology that does not yet exist.
—Benj Edwards, Ars Technica, 14 Aug. 2024
That’s not some hypothetical thought experiment, either.
—Allison Morrow, CNN, 14 Aug. 2024
Underneath this ecstasy of hypothetical and actual consumption was all the dire and prototypical gender stuff, obviously.
—Jia Tolentino, The New Yorker, 10 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for hypothetical 
Bernard Marr, Forbes, 16 Aug. 2024
That may change in the future, but such capabilities will be based on hypothetical technology that does not yet exist.
—Benj Edwards, Ars Technica, 14 Aug. 2024
That’s not some hypothetical thought experiment, either.
—Allison Morrow, CNN, 14 Aug. 2024
Underneath this ecstasy of hypothetical and actual consumption was all the dire and prototypical gender stuff, obviously.
—Jia Tolentino, The New Yorker, 10 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for hypothetical
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'hypothetical.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near hypothetical
Cite this Entry
“Hypothetical.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hypothetical. Accessed 9 Sep. 2024.
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Aktie