Synonyms for theory
ˈθi ə ri, ˈθɪər ithe·o·ry

English Synonyms and AntonymsRate these synonyms:4.4 / 5 votes

1. theory

   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, hypothesis, scheme, speculation, supposition, surmise, system

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

Complete Dictionary of Synonyms and AntonymsRate these synonyms:0.0 / 0 votes

1. theory

   Synonyms:
   speculation, assumption, doctrine, scheme, system, supposition, hypothesis, plea

   Antonyms:
   fact, truth

Princeton's WordNetRate these synonyms:0.0 / 0 votes

1. theorynoun

   a well-substantiated explanation of some aspect of the natural world; an organized system of accepted knowledge that applies in a variety of circumstances to explain a specific set of phenomena

   "theories can incorporate facts and laws and tested hypotheses"; "true in fact and theory"

   Synonyms:
   possibility, hypothesis

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

3. theorynoun

   a belief that can guide behavior

   "the architect has a theory that more is less"; "they killed him on the theory that dead men tell no tales"

   Synonyms:
   possibility, hypothesis

Matched Categories

1. • Belief
   • Explanation

Dictionary of English SynonymesRate these synonyms:0.0 / 0 votes

1. theorynoun

   Synonyms:
   speculation, hypothesis, assumption, conjecture, postulate, plan, scheme, system

2. theorynoun

   Synonyms:
   science, philosophy, doctrine, abstract principles

3. theorynoun

   Synonyms:
   exposition, rationale, reason

Synonyms, Antonyms & Associated WordsRate these synonyms:5.0 / 1 vote

1. theorynoun

   Synonyms:
   hypothesis

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

1. List of paraphrases for "theory":

   theoretical, theories, théorie, doctrine, teoría, doctrines, lilun, thesis, principle

How to pronounce theory?

How to say theory in sign language?

Usage in printed sourcesFrom: 

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Words popularity by usage frequency

How to use theory in a sentence?

1. George Freeman:

   Sony is doing a lot of huffing and puffing but there's not much legal theory behind it.

2. Mark Ridley, 1983:

   The theory of evolution is outstandingly the most important theory in biology.

3. Rick Perdue:

   There's a lot of people that believe this, look at the stuff that's going on in Congress now. We're certainly not unique in having high level people that follow the QAnon conspiracy theory information.

4. Josh Hawley:

   This is from the same party that said that if you are a parent, and you've got concerns about your kids being taught critical race theory or having to wear masks in school, you're a domestic terrorist, this same party is now saying to parents, 'If you're concerned about what your kids might be exposed to online, if you're concerned about the rampant epidemic of child abuse and child exploitation online, you're just a conspiracy theorist.'.

5. James Lankford:

   There's a handful of people who have been here before, seen impeachment up close and personally. It's not a theory for them. There's only been two of these (previously) in the history of the country and they were in one of them.