hypothetical

[ hahy-puh-thet-i-kuhl ]

adjective

1. assumed or entertained as a theoretical possibility, invented example, premise for argument’s sake, etc.; supposed:

   In the hypothetical case that you miss your flight or it is delayed, you will need a contingency plan.

   Synonyms: speculative, theoretical, supposition, academic

2. relating to or characterized by the use of assumptions for argument’s sake or of provisional, informed conjectures to guide investigation:

   Science depends on hypothetical reasoning.

3. Logic.
   1. (of a proposition) highly conjectural; not well supported by available evidence.
   2. (of a proposition or syllogism) conditional ( def 3 ).
4. tending to resort to theoretical assumptions, conditional propositions, invented examples, etc., especially unrealistic ones; speculative:

   His stuff is fun to read, but he’s so hypothetical I can’t take him seriously.

   Stop the worry spiral in your mind before your thoughts become too hypothetical.

noun

1. a hypothetical situation, instance, etc.:

   The Secretary of Defense refused to discuss hypotheticals with the reporters.

hypothetical

/ ˌhaɪpəˈθɛtɪkəl /

adjective

1. having the nature of a hypothesis
2. assumed or thought to exist
3. logic another word for conditional
4. existing only as an idea or concept

   a time machine is a hypothetical device

Derived Forms

• ˌhypoˈthetically, adverb

Other Words From

• hy·po·thet·i·cal·ly adverb
• un·hy·po·thet·i·cal adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of hypothetical¹

First recorded in 1580–90; from Greek hypothetik(ós) “supposed” ( hypo- hypo- + the- “placed, put,” base of tithénai “to place, put, set”) + -tikos -tic ) + -al ¹

Example Sentences

He added he would not comment on "hypothetical scenarios" of a future US administration.

From BBC

Another former minister told me that funding “is absolutely urgent – it is urgent to help Ukraine but the most urgent is where our forces are in danger – it’s not hypothetical, in the Red Sea the Houthis are firing at our ships.”

From BBC

But broadly speaking, any elevation of Kennedy to executive power—even hypothetical—signals the further erosion of any kind of facts-based decisionmaking, and points to Trump’s embrace not just of falsehoods that benefit him politically but nonsense in general.

From Slate

Right now, in foreign ministries around the world, including in London, hypothetical game plans for this scenario are becoming the real deal.

From BBC

By the same token, if an institution with more firepower than any entity on earth meekly submits to threats that are thus far hypothetical, how would it act if Trump were actually in power?

From Salon

Related Words

• debatable
• imaginary
• problematic
• speculative
• theoretical
• vague