hypothesises
Suggests without proof
Hypothesises is the British spelling of the verb meaning to propose a hypothesis or form a tentative explanation: She hypothesises that the decline in bee populations is linked to pesticide use.
The American spelling is hypothesizes.
Both forms suggest educated guessing—offering an idea that can be tested rather than asserting certainty.
Guess based on incomplete evidence
- theorizeForm explanatory suppositions
- postulateAssumed starting point
- conjectureGuess from limited facts
- surmiseGuess from incomplete information
suppose · assume · presume · guess · infer · extrapolate · deduce · venture
Explanatory set of principles
- frameworkUnderlying support system
- modelRepresentation or paradigm
- paradigmGoverning framework of thought
- principleFundamental truth or standard
concept · mechanism · abstraction · generalization · proposition · axiom · postulate · explanation
Systematic investigation procedure
- researchSystematic fact-finding effort
- empiricalBased on observation, not theory
- falsifiableCapable of being disproven
- methodologyFormal procedural framework
variables · control · analysis · evidence · observation · data · replication · correlation
Seeming likely true
- feasibilityPotential for success
- probabilityQuantified chance of occurrence
- likelihoodChance something will occur
- chanceLikelihood of occurrence
potential · uncertainty · contingency · scenario · supposition · presumption · tentative · provisional
Prediction of future conditions
- anticipateExpect beforehand
- projectPlanned, effortful task
- foreseePredict future events
- predictDeclare future outcomes
expect · extrapolate · prognosticate · speculate · model · estimate · envision · scenario
speculate
Guess based on incomplete evidence
- theorizeForm explanatory suppositions
- postulateAssumed starting point
- conjectureGuess from limited facts
surmise · suppose · assume · presume · guess · infer · extrapolate · deduce · venture · posit
theory
Explanatory set of principles
- frameworkUnderlying support system
- modelRepresentation or paradigm
- paradigmGoverning framework of thought
principle · concept · mechanism · abstraction · generalization · proposition · axiom · postulate · explanation · rationale
experiment
Systematic investigation procedure
- researchSystematic fact-finding effort
- empiricalBased on observation, not theory
- falsifiableCapable of being disproven
methodology · variables · control · analysis · evidence · observation · data · replication · correlation · causality
plausibility
Seeming likely true
- feasibilityPotential for success
- probabilityQuantified chance of occurrence
- likelihoodChance something will occur
chance · potential · uncertainty · contingency · scenario · supposition · presumption · tentative · provisional · speculative
forecast
Prediction of future conditions
- anticipateExpect beforehand
- projectPlanned, effortful task
- foreseePredict future events
predict · expect · extrapolate · prognosticate · speculate · model · estimate · envision · scenario · outcome
hypothesisesconcludes
Brings to an end
proves · confirms · demonstrates · establishes · verifies
- working hypothesisTestable assumption guiding inquiry
- continuum hypothesisClaim about cardinal sizes
- Red Queen hypothesisPerpetual adaptation to survive
- null hypothesisAssumed no relationship exists
- Sapir-Whorf hypothesisLanguage influences worldview theory
- hypothesis testingStatistical method for evaluating claims