hypothetical
Purely imagined scenario
Hypothetical describes something assumed or imagined for the sake of argument rather than known to be true or real.
A hypothetical situation exists only in theory: Let's consider a hypothetical scenario where interest rates double.
As a noun, a hypothetical is such a supposed case: Don't deal in hypotheticals—stick to the facts.
The word often signals that what follows may be unlikely or purely speculative.
Postulated event sequence
- situationState of affairs
- caseContainer or instance
- exampleRepresentative case shown
- what-ifHypothetical scenario query
construct · model · supposition · assumption · premise · proposition · conjecture · postulation
Uncertain and provisional
- unconfirmedNot officially validated
- questionableOf uncertain validity
- speculativeBased on conjecture
- provisionalConditional and possibly temporary
unverified · inconclusive · doubtful · undetermined · conjectural · putative · suppositional · assumptive
Existing only in thought
- inventedCreated something new
- made-upFabricated, not factual
- fictitiousNot real, invented
- fabricatedInvented, not real
notional · supposed · pretend · make-believe · fantasy · counterfactual
Guess from limited facts
- speculationUnproven theorizing or risky investment
- guessworkConclusions drawn without proof
- surmiseGuess from incomplete information
- extrapolationExtending data beyond bounds
projection · forecast · prediction · theorize · postulate · presume · suppose · imagine
Condensed version of text
- conceptualOf or relating to ideas
- philosophicalConcerned with fundamental truths
- conjecturalBased on incomplete evidence
- analyticalExamining parts methodically
propositional · axiomatic · deductive · logical · reasoned · academic · intellectual · notional
Implication structure in logic
- contingencyUncertain possible event
- conditionState or stipulation
- antecedentSomething that precedes
- consequentFollowing as an effect
premise · implication · dependency · proviso · stipulation · qualification · caveat · prerequisite
scenario
Postulated event sequence
what-if · construct · model · supposition · assumption · premise · proposition · conjecture · postulation · framework
tentative
Uncertain and provisional
- unconfirmedNot officially validated
- questionableOf uncertain validity
- speculativeBased on conjecture
provisional · unverified · inconclusive · doubtful · undetermined · conjectural · putative · suppositional · assumptive · pending
imaginary
Existing only in thought
- inventedCreated something new
- made-upFabricated, not factual
- fictitiousNot real, invented
fabricated · notional · supposed · pretend · make-believe · fantasy · counterfactual
conjecture
Guess from limited facts
- speculationUnproven theorizing or risky investment
- guessworkConclusions drawn without proof
- surmiseGuess from incomplete information
extrapolation · projection · forecast · prediction · theorize · postulate · presume · suppose · imagine · envision
abstract
Condensed version of text
- conceptualOf or relating to ideas
- philosophicalConcerned with fundamental truths
- conjecturalBased on incomplete evidence
analytical · propositional · axiomatic · deductive · logical · reasoned · academic · intellectual · notional · idealized
if-then
Implication structure in logic
- contingencyUncertain possible event
- conditionState or stipulation
- antecedentSomething that precedes
consequent · premise · implication · dependency · proviso · stipulation · qualification · caveat · prerequisite · given
- uncertaintyuncertainty, uncertain, unknown, unsure, unclear
- possibilitiespossibility, chance, likelihood, probability, odds
- scenariosbest-case, worst-case, what-if, best case, worst case
- speculationconjecture, guess, guessing, speculation, guesswork
- what-ifswhat if, thought experiment, speculation, conjecture, supposition
- conditionalsif, then, if clause, if clauses, else
hypotheticalproven
Established as fact
confirmed · demonstrated · established · verified · validated
hypotheticalpractical
Suited for real use
applied · clinical · operational · real-world · hands-on
- hypothetically speaking
- hypothetical scenarioImagined situation for reasoning