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.

Two hypothetical examples might be if Taylor Swift placed a bet on when she might get married or if Trump's administration gave information away willingly to colleagues or friends about future policy.

From BBC • May 21, 2026

At some point constitutional rights have to govern ordinary participation in society rather than hypothetical withdrawal from it.

From Slate • May 20, 2026

In the theory, every particle, including the hypothetical graviton that would carry the force of gravity, comes from different vibrations of tiny strings.

From Science Daily • May 19, 2026

Ambrogi said there “ hasn’t been any really broad documented evidence that this is a real trend,” and surveillance pricing bans are addressing a largely hypothetical problem.

From Salon • May 18, 2026

This is best experienced by looking them up, preferably in one of the dictionaries that provide all the roots back to the original, hypothetical fossil language of proto-Indo-European, and observing their behavior.

From "The Lives of a Cell" by Lewis Thomas

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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