hypothesize
verb (used with object)
to assume tentatively or set forth as a plausible explanation or as a reasonable basis for further investigation in the light of established facts.
hypothesized
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past participleof hypothesize.past participle
A verb form used in perfect and passive verb constructions and that can also function as a modifier.
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past tense formof hypothesize.past tense
Used to describe completed actions or previous habitual actions.
hypothesizeverb (used with object)to assume tentatively or set forth as a plausible explanation or as a reasonable basis for further investigation in the light of established facts.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The team has hypothesized various scenarios where things could spiral out of control, including one where an AI system deceives its creators and then abruptly seizes power.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 27, 2026
Abatzoglou hypothesized the region’s link between wildfires and soil moisture could cause the mitigating effects of the preceding El Niño to linger longer.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 22, 2026
He also hypothesized that Tesla could cut vehicle or FSD prices to make its EVs more affordable and attractive to consumers.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 1, 2026
The genes were biologically "toxic" to humans, researchers hypothesized, and eventually purged out -- in essence, the children who inherited those traits might not have lived to pass them on.
From Barron's ● Feb. 26, 2026
The Joliots had hypothesized that the same radioactivity they had induced in boron with alpha particles would be produced by deuterons acting on carbon.
From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik
