Suppositional Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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suppositional

[səˈpɒzɪʃ(ə)n(ə)l ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Adjective}

in reasoning or assumption

Based on supposition or assumption rather than fact; hypothetical.

Synonyms

conjectural, hypothetical, presumptive, speculative.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
suppositional	Used when referring to something based on assumptions rather than hard evidence. The theory remains suppositional until we have more data. His account of the event is largely suppositional.
hypothetical	Used when discussing scenarios or possibilities that are not real but imagined for the sake of discussion or examination. In a hypothetical situation where robots take over the world, how should we prepare? The lawyer presented a hypothetical case to illustrate his point.
speculative	Used when something is based on conjecture without firm evidence, often involving a degree of risk or uncertainty. Investing in that company is highly speculative. Her speculative ideas about the future of technology were fascinating but unproven.
presumptive	Used when something is assumed to be true based on reasonable grounds or evidence, but not yet confirmed. The presumptive diagnosis was made before the test results came in. His presumptive identification as the suspect was later confirmed by witnesses.
conjectural	Applied when making a conclusion based on incomplete information, often involving guesswork. Much of the detective's work was conjectural due to the lack of witnesses. The scientist's conjectural ideas sparked a great debate among his peers.

Examples of usage

It is just a suppositional theory, we need more evidence to confirm it.
His argument was purely suppositional and lacked any concrete proof.
She made a suppositional guess about the outcome of the experiment.

^{Context #2 | Adjective}

in literature or art

Of, relating to, or based on a supposition; conjectural.

Synonyms

assumed, conjectural, imaginary, theoretical.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
suppositional	Used when something is based on an assumption or supposition, rather than firm evidence. The conclusions drawn are purely suppositional and need further verification His suppositional approach didn't convince the committee
conjectural	Used when something is based on conjecture, involving guesswork and lacking firm evidence. This term often carries a sense of uncertainty. The historian's claims are highly conjectural and not backed by solid evidence His conjectural predictions often turned out to be incorrect
theoretical	Used when something is related to or based on theory rather than practical application or real-world experience. The theoretical framework of the study is solid, but it lacks practical evidence Theoretical physics often involves complex mathematical equations
imaginary	Used when referring to something that exists only in the imagination and not in reality. The monster under his bed was purely imaginary She had an imaginary friend when she was a child
assumed	Used when something is taken for granted or accepted as true without proof. This word can also imply a certain level of confidence in the assumption. It was assumed that everyone had completed their homework She assumed he would arrive on time, but he didn't

Examples of usage

The novel presents a suppositional account of historical events.
His painting is a suppositional interpretation of the landscape.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Psychology

In cognitive psychology, people often use suppositional reasoning to evaluate outcomes that are not based on concrete evidence but rather on personal beliefs.
Suppositional thinking can help in problem-solving, allowing individuals to explore various outcomes and possibilities.
It is also crucial in hypothesis testing, where scientists make assumptions to test whether their theories hold true.

Philosophy

Philosophers often examine suppositional scenarios in ethics, considering how different actions may lead to different moral outcomes.
In modal logic, suppositional claims are important as they deal with possibilities rather than certainties.
The concept helps to differentiate between necessary truths (must be true) and contingent truths (could be true under certain conditions).

Education

In classrooms, teachers encourage students to use suppositional thinking to foster creativity and critical analysis in subjects like science and literature.
Writing prompts often include suppositional scenarios to help develop students’ writing skills and imaginative thinking.
Discussing suppositional scenarios in group settings promotes collaboration and a diversity of ideas.

Literature

Many authors use suppositional elements to build suspense in their stories, allowing readers to question what might happen next.
The narrative technique known as 'what if' scenarios draws heavily on suppositional reasoning to explore alternate histories or futures.
Characters in literature often engage in a form of suppositional thinking, contemplating their choices and the potential outcomes of their actions.

Origin of 'suppositional'

Main points about word origin

The word comes from the root 'suppose,' which originates from the Latin 'supponere,' meaning 'to put under' or 'to assume.'
The suffix '-tional' indicates a relation to the root word, often forming adjectives like 'educational' or 'creational.'
This term has been used in different philosophical and logical discussions since the early 20th century.

The word 'suppositional' originates from the verb 'suppose,' which comes from the Latin word 'supponere,' meaning 'to place beneath, to substitute.' The adjective 'suppositional' emerged in the 17th century, reflecting the idea of something based on supposition or assumption rather than fact.