hypothetical

[hahy-puh-thet-i-kuhl] / ˌhaɪ pəˈθɛt ɪ kəl /

ADJECTIVE

guessed, assumed

Synonyms

STRONGEST

debatable imaginary problematic speculative theoretical vague

STRONG

academic contingent pretending suspect

WEAK

assumptive casual concocted conditional conjecturable conjectural contestable disputable doubtful equivocal imagined indefinite indeterminate postulated presumptive presupposed provisory putative questionable refutable stochastic supposed suppositional suppositious theoretic uncertain unconfirmed

Antonyms

STRONGEST

certain definite factual real sure

WEAK

calculated confirmed measured proved proven reliable truthful

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

A hypothetical $10,000 investment in the 15 years through March would have grown into $95,080—more than twice as much as the S&P 500 Value Index and 46% more than the S&P 500 overall.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 9, 2026

This would include known particles like electrons, quarks and Higgs bosons, as well as hypothetical ones such as dark matter particles, and possibly entirely new forms of matter.

From Science Daily • Apr. 8, 2026

Consider the following hypothetical: a natural health brand looking to sell its supplements to a broader audience.

From Slate • Mar. 28, 2026

Consider the terrible performance of a hypothetical portfolio containing stocks whose borrowing costs exceeded 50% annually.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 27, 2026

They were always posing some scientific hypothetical with each other for fun.

From "The Last Cuentista" by Donna Barba Higuera

Vocabulary lists containing hypothetical

Argumentative Writing

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Words That Could Go Either Way: Synonyms for "Maybe"

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The SAT: Language of the Test, List 6

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