hypothesize

especially British, hy·poth·e·sise

[hahy-poth-uh-sahyz, hi-]

verb (used with object)

hypothesized, hypothesizing 

1. to assume tentatively or set forth as a plausible explanation or as a reasonable basis for further investigation in the light of established facts.

   Given these data, we can hypothesize that the rise in truck accidents is directly related to the stressful work environment and unsafe driving practices of drivers.

2. to theorize, infer, or tentatively conclude.

   He said little, but based on his body language and tone, I hypothesized that he had feelings for her.

verb (used without object)

hypothesized, hypothesizing 

1. to form or set forth, based on established facts, a plausible explanation or reasonable basis for further investigation of something.

   She has written several well-researched papers hypothesizing about the origins of language.

2. to theorize or draw tentative conclusions or inferences.

   I like to hypothesize about life in the next century.

hypothesize

/ haɪˈpɒθɪˌsaɪz /

verb

1. to form or assume as a hypothesis

hypothesize

1. To form a hypothesis.

Other Word Forms

• hypothesizer noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of hypothesize¹

First recorded in 1730–40; hypothes(is) + -ize

Example Sentences

“I would hypothesize that we didn’t have as many people in the office five days a week, even pre-COVID, just because of the nature of the work that takes place in Los Angeles.”

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My whole goal with this show was to capture a small sliver of the zeitgeist where people could be talking about something, hypothesizing and talking, and I knew that required a weekly release.

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She hypothesized that the issue was compounded by the fact that many people were not going in to work, meaning they didn’t have disposable income to eat out.

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For decades, scientists knew that breast cancer could run in families and hypothesized a genetic role.

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It has been hypothesized that feelings of despair, loss, loneliness, aggrieved entitlement, and an overall feeling of loss of honor and direction in life explained support for Trump and authoritarian populism among that population.

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