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

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How to use theory in a sentence?

1. Andrea Ghez:

   Einstein's right, at least for now, we can absolutely rule out Newton's law of gravity. Our observations are consistent with Einstein's theory of general relativity. However, Albert Einstein theory is definitely showing vulnerability. It can not fully explain gravity inside a black hole, and at some point we will need to move beyond Einstein's theory to a more comprehensive theory of gravity that explains what a black hole is.

2. Günter Bechly:

   If a theory and its proponents stubbornly refuse falsification by an ever increasing body of substantial conflicting evidence, the theory degenerates into a textbook example of dogmatic pseudo-science. The neo-Darwinian theory of macroevolution has failed on all fronts, from mathematical feasibility, to theoretical plausibility and explanatory power, to empirical support.

3. Elise Armacost:

   (Cesnik) was a nun. The church was her life and the people important to her were in the church, the theory that she was killed because she knew something about abuse that was going on by priests within the church continues to be a theory, but is not the only theory. It continues to be one of several theories.

4. Albert Einstein:

   A theory can be proved by experiment but no path leads from experiment to the birth of a theory.

5. Katie Stockton:

   In reality, the Dow Theory doesn't call for it in this kind of scenario, so it's really a misperception, or a bad interpretation of Dow Theory, so it would matter if the Dow industrials were in a down trend and were breaking out and trying to reverse that down trend, then you would want to see that confirmation from the transports.