1
as in assumption
something taken as being true or factual and used as a starting point for a course of action or reasoning
your conclusion may turn out to be accurate, but you're postulating a lot of ifs
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in condition
something upon which the carrying out of an agreement or offer depends
there are a number of ifs in the proposal
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of if
The new strategy means the doc fix happens only if Republicans can get a reconciliation package across the finish line — a big if.
—
Peter Sullivan, Axios, 11 Mar. 2025
The question about Running Point getting a season 2 is not really an if, but a when.
—Paul Tassi, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2025
There is an if here, in other words.
—Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 26 Feb. 2025
That’s a big if, needless to say.
—Willing Davidson, The New Yorker, 23 Feb. 2025
If all goes well—and this is a huge if, Gialich readily acknowledges—Odin will fly by its target asteroid 301 days later.
—Jonathan M. Gitlin, Ars Technica, 29 Jan. 2025
There was an if-not-now-then-when feeling in Buffalo this week.
—Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 27 Jan. 2025
New experimental and theoretical results, new tools and private sector investment are all adding to our growing sense that developing practical fusion energy is no longer an if but a when.
—Farhat Beg, The Conversation, 8 Jan. 2025
Yes, derivatives can pay off on all sorts of inflationary outcomes (if the counterparty is solvent enough to pay—a big if).
—James Berman, Forbes, 6 Jan. 2025
Peter Sullivan, Axios, 11 Mar. 2025
The question about Running Point getting a season 2 is not really an if, but a when.
—Paul Tassi, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2025
There is an if here, in other words.
—Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 26 Feb. 2025
That’s a big if, needless to say.
—Willing Davidson, The New Yorker, 23 Feb. 2025
If all goes well—and this is a huge if, Gialich readily acknowledges—Odin will fly by its target asteroid 301 days later.
—Jonathan M. Gitlin, Ars Technica, 29 Jan. 2025
There was an if-not-now-then-when feeling in Buffalo this week.
—Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 27 Jan. 2025
New experimental and theoretical results, new tools and private sector investment are all adding to our growing sense that developing practical fusion energy is no longer an if but a when.
—Farhat Beg, The Conversation, 8 Jan. 2025
Yes, derivatives can pay off on all sorts of inflationary outcomes (if the counterparty is solvent enough to pay—a big if).
—James Berman, Forbes, 6 Jan. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for if
Noun
-
Eaton derives roughly 17% of its total revenues from data centers, according to the company’s 2025 growth assumptions.—
Morgan Chittum,
CNBC,
9 May 2025
-
Employees who challenge assumptions often face resistance from peers and leadership.—
Alexander Puutio,
Forbes.com,
9 May 2025
Noun
-
Upon arrival, firefighters encountered heavy smoke and active fire conditions.—
Richard Requena,
Chicago Tribune,
13 May 2025
-
Those winds may down tree limbs and create difficult driving conditions, especially for high-profile vehicles.—
Anna Skinner,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 May 2025
Noun
-
My session stretched almost two hours, including a half-hour theory overview on the dunes.—
David Shortell,
Travel + Leisure,
12 May 2025
-
One theory suggests Mars lost its water to space as solar wind stripped it from the atmosphere — a process supported by ratios of isotopes on the Red Planet, or distinct species of chemical elements, seen today.—
Victoria Corless,
Space.com,
12 May 2025
Noun
-
House Republicans approved a provision to their budget on Wednesday that would permit the federal government to sell thousands of acres of public land, in an effort to boost fossil fuel production and development projects.—
Dan Cody,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 May 2025
-
Although a majority of U.S. states already have abuse reporting mandates in place for religious leaders, each of those laws includes a provision exempting information learned through confession.—
Emily Mae Czachor,
CBS News,
8 May 2025
Noun
-
Assuming the roster gets back to full health, the givens ahead of Pelle in the rotation would be Tyler Herro, Bam Adebayo, Kel’el Ware, Andrew Wiggins and, perhaps, Davion Mitchell.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
2 Apr. 2025
-
There are some givens in the B’s lineup, as long as there’s good health.—
Steve Conroy,
Boston Herald,
26 Sep. 2024
Noun
-
The Windows 11 system requirements aren't too onerous.—
Justin Pot,
Wired News,
9 May 2025
-
However, some analysts also credited other factors, such as eliminating minimum parking requirements.—
Michael Smolens,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 May 2025
Noun
-
But moments after the judge accepted the stipulation signed by the lawyers and set the trial for damages only for May 27, Knight piped up on his remote connection, a source tells Rolling Stone.—
Nancy Dillon,
Rolling Stone,
28 Apr. 2025
-
With zero debt used or accepted, the properties are aggregated by the company into a mineral portfolio which qualifies as replacement property, with certain specifications and stipulations as detailed by Peak Exchange.—
Fred Hubler,
Forbes.com,
22 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Although scientists report to have revived a 2,000-year-old date palm seed from an archaeological site in the Middle East, such cases are the exception.—
Katarina Zimmer,
Smithsonian Magazine,
2 May 2025
-
The measure would provide funding for implementation and allow exceptions for students with learning challenges or translation needs.—
Sarah Taddeo,
USA Today,
1 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“If.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/if. Accessed 20 May. 2025.
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