hypothetically

American  

[hahy-puh-thet-i-klee] / ˌhaɪ pəˈθɛt ɪ kli /

adverb

1. according to what is assumed as a premise in an argument.

   Hypothetically, without friction or other resistance a toy car on a track could cruise along indefinitely, provided it never went higher than its starting point.

2. in a way that is theoretically possible but not proven; conjecturally; speculatively.

   Hypothetically, these nanobots would be able to traverse any type of terrain and would therefore be ideal for exploration missions on other planets.

   While hypothetically this could be the case, you appear to have no evidence to support it.

3. according to what is assumed or imagined; supposedly.

   I do legal transcription and hypothetically clean the house while my children are at school.

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Other Word Forms

• unhypothetically adverb

Etymology

Origin of hypothetically

hypothetical ( def. ) + -ly

Example Sentences

Norris refused to confirm whether he would publicly state he had no confidence in Guildford if, hypothetically, the report was critical of the chief constable.

From BBC

That scenario, hypothetically, is just one way we could know that a war with Russia had begun, or was about to.

From BBC

Literally none of it could even hypothetically be accomplished within that timeframe.

From Salon

However, hypothetically putting that responsibility on pregnant people — having to determine whether or not to give their newborn the dose right after birth or wait 30 days — would be “completely irresponsible,” Washington said.

From Salon

Tokyo’s position is that Takaichi was talking hypothetically and articulating longstanding Japanese policy, though it was unusual for a sitting prime minister to be so explicit.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• apparently
• doubtless
• probably
• seemingly
• supposedly
• surely