Meaning & use
hypothesize
To suggest a possible explanation for something based on limited evidence, as a starting point for testing.
See it in a sentence
Scientists hypothesized that the virus spread through contaminated water supplies.
She hypothesized that stress, not diet, was causing her frequent headaches.
A note on using this word
A hypothesis must be testable; hypothesizing is the step before gathering evidence, not a conclusion drawn from it.
Words with a similar meaning
theorizespeculate
Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.
Words with an opposite meaning
proveconfirm
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “hypothesize”, then compare your use with the examples above.
Your draft stays on this page and is not sent anywhere.