theories

NOUN

hypothesis, belief

Synonyms

STRONGEST

approach argument assumption code concept doctrine idea ideology method philosophy plan position premise proposal provision rationale scheme speculation suspicion system thesis understanding

STRONG

base basis codification conditions conjecture dogma feeling foundation grounds guess guesswork hunch impression outlook postulate presentiment presumption shot stab supposal supposition surmise theorem

WEAK

formularization suppose systemization

Antonyms

STRONGEST

disbelief fact information reality truth

STRONG

calculation knowledge measurement proof

WEAK

certainty

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.

Niayesh Afshordi, a cosmologist, and Phil Halper, who hosts a YouTube channel on science, introduce dozens of alternative theories, some with tongue-twisting names.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 19, 2026

This helped researchers rule out competing theories, including the idea that the material came from older supernova explosions that slowly faded over millions of years.

From Science Daily • May 14, 2026

But that has not stopped conspiracy theories and disinformation about vaccines and hantavirus spreading widely online -- another echo of the Covid era.

From Barron's • May 13, 2026

His mother, Melanie, who was not his legal guardian and was heavily influenced by conspiracy theories, told him to throw away his passport.

From BBC • May 13, 2026

But in the case of the geometrical sciences of the seventeenth century the gaps between data and phenomena, and between phenomena and theories, are intended to be virtually non-existent.

From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton