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
Her example of a president ordering Seal Team 6 to assassinate a political rival (a hypothetical that came up during oral arguments) would seem highly unlikely.
—
Baltimore Sun Editorial Board, Baltimore Sun, 3 July 2024
Former first lady Michelle Obama would beat former President Donald Trump in a hypothetical match-up, according to a new poll.
—Sudiksha Kochi, USA TODAY, 3 July 2024
Justice Elena Kagan pushed Trump’s attorney on just how far presidential immunity could extend, raising a hypothetical scenario of a military coup by a former president.
—Kaelan Deese, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 1 July 2024
That is the provocative hypothetical raised by two Supreme Court justices in their dissents on the high court's ruling regarding former President Donald Trump's immunity case.
—Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 1 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for hypothetical 
Baltimore Sun Editorial Board, Baltimore Sun, 3 July 2024
Former first lady Michelle Obama would beat former President Donald Trump in a hypothetical match-up, according to a new poll.
—Sudiksha Kochi, USA TODAY, 3 July 2024
Justice Elena Kagan pushed Trump’s attorney on just how far presidential immunity could extend, raising a hypothetical scenario of a military coup by a former president.
—Kaelan Deese, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 1 July 2024
That is the provocative hypothetical raised by two Supreme Court justices in their dissents on the high court's ruling regarding former President Donald Trump's immunity case.
—Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 1 July 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 15 Jul. 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
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