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hypothetical Definition

hypo·theti·cal (hī′pə t̸het′i kəl)

adjective

  1. based on, involving, or having the nature of a hypothesis; assumed; supposed
  2. given to the use of hypotheses a hypothetical mind
  3. Logic conditional

Etymology: < Gr hypothetikos (< hypothesis) + -al

noun

a hypothetical statement, idea, circumstance, etc.

hypothetical Related Forms
hy′po·thet′i·cally adverb
hypothetical Synonyms

hypothetical

modif.

  1. Supposed

    presupposed, suppositious, suppositional, conditional, conjectural, imagined, indeterminate, speculative, indefinite, questionable, unconfirmed, equivocal, doubtful, conjecturable, concocted, suspect, stochastic, stochastical, assumed by hypothesis, possible, uncertain, debatable, imaginary, of the nature of hypothesis, vague, theoretical, pretending, open, provisory, casual, disputable, refutable, postulational, contestable, presumptive, hypothesized, assumptive, contingent, theoretic, postulated, based on incomplete knowledge; see also assumed 1, likely 1.

    Antonyms proved*, demonstrated, confirmed.

  2. Characterized by hypothesis

    postulated, academic, philosophical; see theoretical.

hypothetical Usage Examples

Preposition: at

  • moment: If we can pull it off from here we would run out of superlatives but that's hypothetical at the moment.
  • stage: However, questions about bringing bin Laden to trial were bordering on the hypothetical at this stage.

Modifies a noun

  • comparator: However, if you cannot do this, the court or tribunal considering your case may construct a hypothetical comparator for you.
  • scenario: Challenge, a hypothetical scenario for you to analyze.
  • tenant: The hypothetical tenant in an ability to pay scenario is likely to have no profit motive.
  • purchaser: The value must reflect what a hypothetical purchaser would pay at the valuation date.
  • reasoning: And certainly such hypothetical reasoning may included blind sport.
  • imperative: This kind of guidance Kant calls ' hypothetical imperatives ' .

Modifying Another Word

  • purely: However, the possibility of an indemnity is not purely hypothetical.
  • merely: It is, at any rate, a merely hypothetical statement.
  • entirely: It should be clearly understood that the basis on which the points listed below are being raised is entirely hypothetical.
  • all: He added: " I've not asked him if he would go because there has been no request - it's all hypothetical.
  • only: As this is only hypothetical it's not an issue at present, but I'll certainly bear what you say in mind.
  • not: The great power of this principle of selection is not hypothetical.

Used with adjective complement

  • remain: But such a supposition cannot but remain highly hypothetical.