Synonyms for hypothesis
haɪˈpɒθ ə sɪs, hɪ-; -ˌsizhy·poth·e·sis

WiktionaryRate these synonyms:4.0 / 1 vote

1. hypothesisnoun

   Synonyms:
   guess, supposition, thesis, theory, educated guess

2. hypothesisnoun

   Used loosely, a tentative conjecture explaining an observation, phenomenon or scientific problem that can be tested by further observation, investigation and/or experimentation. As a scientific term of art, see the attached quotation. Compare to theory, and quotation given there.

   Synonyms:
   theory, thesis, supposition, guess, educated guess

3. hypothesisnoun

   An assumption taken to be true for the purpose of argument or investigation.

   Synonyms:
   supposition, theory, thesis, guess, educated guess

4. hypothesisnoun

   The antecedent of a conditional statement.

   Synonyms:
   educated guess, guess, thesis, supposition, theory

English Synonyms and AntonymsRate these synonyms:0.0 / 0 votes

1. hypothesis

   A hypothesis is a statement of what is deemed possibly true, assumed and reasoned upon as if certainly true, with a view of reaching truth not yet surely known; especially, in the sciences, a hypothesis is a comprehensive tentative explanation of certain phenomena, which is meant to include all other facts of the same class, and which is assumed as true till there has been opportunity to bring all related facts into comparison; if the hypothesis explains all the facts, it is regarded as verified; till then it is regarded as a working hypothesis, that is, one that may answer for present practical purposes. A hypothesis may be termed a comprehensive guess. A guess is a swift conclusion from data directly at hand, and held as probable or tentative, while one confessedly lacks material for absolute certainty. A conjecture is more methodical than a guess, while a supposition is still slower and more settled; a conjecture, like a guess, is preliminary and tentative; a supposition is more nearly final; a surmise is more floating and visionary, and often sinister; as, a surmise that a stranger may be a pickpocket. Theory is used of the mental coordination of facts and principles, that may or may not prove correct; a machine may be perfect in theory, but useless in fact. Scheme may be used as nearly equivalent to theory, but is more frequently applied to proposed action, and in the sense of a somewhat visionary plan. A speculation may be wholly of the brain, resting upon no facts worthy of consideration; system is the highest of these terms, having most of assurance and fixity; a system unites many facts, phenomena, or doctrines into an orderly and consistent whole; we speak of a system of theology, of the Copernican system of the universe. Compare SYSTEM.

   Synonyms:
   conjecture, guess, scheme, speculation, supposition, surmise, system, theory

   Antonyms:
   certainty, demonstration, discovery, evidence, fact, proof

Princeton's WordNetRate these synonyms:1.0 / 1 vote

1. hypothesisnoun

   a proposal intended to explain certain facts or observations

   Synonyms:
   theory, surmisal, possibility, guess, conjecture, supposition, surmise, speculation

2. hypothesis, possibility, theorynoun

   a tentative insight into the natural world; a concept that is not yet verified but that if true would explain certain facts or phenomena

   "a scientific hypothesis that survives experimental testing becomes a scientific theory"; "he proposed a fresh theory of alkalis that later was accepted in chemical practices"

   Synonyms:
   theory, possibleness, surmisal, possibility, opening, guess, conjecture, possible action, supposition, surmise, speculation

3. guess, conjecture, supposition, surmise, surmisal, speculation, hypothesisnoun

   a message expressing an opinion based on incomplete evidence

   Synonyms:
   guess, possibility, conjecture, surmise, guesswork, theory, meditation, venture, supposition, dead reckoning, guessing, surmisal, supposal, assumption, speculation, shot

Matched Categories

1. • Opinion
   • Proposal

Dictionary of English SynonymesRate these synonyms:0.0 / 0 votes

1. hypothesisnoun

   Synonyms:
   supposition, theory

PPDB, the paraphrase databaseRate these paraphrases:0.0 / 0 votes

1. List of paraphrases for "hypothesis":

   assumption, premise, assumptions, assumed, scenario, supposition, conjecture, hypothetical

Suggested Resources

1. Hypothesis

   Hypothesis vs. Prediction -- In this Grammar.com article you will learn the differences between the words Hypothesis and Prediction.

How to pronounce hypothesis?

How to say hypothesis in sign language?

Words popularity by usage frequency

How to use hypothesis in a sentence?

1. Vidulfo Rosales:

   Parents are not going to accept the hypothesis before us. It is not a conclusive, final investigation. The investigation needs to be open, so that there will be the full truth that the parents are fighting for. We make several petitions that we find this truth.

2. Maria Van Kerkhove:

   We learned from the report that... if you look at the trends in influenza-like illness, in excess mortality, it's clear that there was circulation of this virus earlier, that there was likely widespread circulation in December. That's really, really important, the area of work in the report that wasn't covered in detail was the lab, and the lab audit, and the lab hypothesis.

3. Tomoaki Shishido:

   One hypothesis the labour data is putting forward is that employment may now be growing at a pace of almost 300,000 even after the dollar has strengthened considerably. That is clearly above the speed limit, if this continues while labour participation does not increase, the jobless rate will fall to around 4.5 percent by the end of year and the Fed risks falling behind the curve in keeping inflation in check.

4. James Oberweis:

   Even the most ardent proponents of the efficient market hypothesis will say that there are pockets of inefficiencies, and the most common is small-cap and international stocks.

5. Tomoaki Shishido:

   One hypothesis the labor data is putting forward is that employment may now be growing at a pace of almost 300,000 even after the dollar has strengthened considerably. That is clearly above the speed limit, if this continues while labor participation does not increase, the jobless rate will fall to around 4.5 percent by the end of year and the Fed risks falling behind the curve in keeping inflation in check.