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Definition of "hypothetical" []

  • Of, relating to, or based on a hypothesis: a hypothetical situation. See Synonyms at theoretical. (adjective)
  • Suppositional; uncertain. See Synonyms at supposed. (adjective)
  • Conditional; contingent. (adjective)
  • A hypothetical circumstance, condition, scenario, or situation: OK, let's consider this possibility then—just as a hypothetical. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Use "hypothetical" in a sentence
  • "I pointed out that your hypothetical is a complete distortion of how we actually use bridges and fund that usage, and has nothing to do with HSR."
  • "Of course, my hypothetical is theoretical, as I am not talking about a real thing that has attributes A, B, and C."
  • "ARENA: Well, you know, both those men have refused to deal with what they call hypothetical situations."