thesis

noun

ˈthē-səs How to pronounce thesis (audio)
Definition of thesisnext
1
as in argument
an idea or opinion that is put forth in a discussion or debate put forth the thesis that the electronic media's coverage of politics trivializes the workings of our democracy

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2
as in hypothesis
an idea that is the starting point for making a case or conducting an investigation it is not clear how the arguments you make actually support your thesis

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of thesis Development is continuing as part of student Brandon Nguyen’s master’s thesis. — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 27 Aug. 2026 Instead, the movie’s unexpected main attraction became indelible proof of its timelessly powerful thesis of acceptance. — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 26 Aug. 2026 Edgar’s defense team rested without calling new witnesses, but in his closing arguments, attorney Junior Barrett attempted to poke holes in the prosecution’s thesis that Edgar meant to kill as many people as possible. — Cristóbal Reyes, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 Aug. 2026 Northlight first opened its doors to the public in 1974 as the Evanston Theatre Company, founded as part of Northwestern student Gregory Kandel’s master’s thesis, according to Jones. — Claire Murphy, Chicago Tribune, 22 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for thesis
Recent Examples of Synonyms for thesis
  1. argument
  2. hypothesis
  3. contention
  4. theory
  5. assertion
Noun
  • This turns into a big argument about Issa being a weird little guy, and suddenly there are multiple potential roommate schisms in the house.
    — Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Computer science emerged as a distinct academic discipline in the following decades, when the research traditions of math and engineering came together, and arguments about the nature of the new field soon followed.
    — Ben Brubaker, Quanta Magazine, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of argument
Noun
  • Until then, readers should take these issues as interesting hypotheses and case discussions.
    — Steve Denning, Forbes.com, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Data from the Forest Service tentatively confirms Finch’s hypothesis, suggesting that kudzu occupies around 227,000 acres of Southern land, just a small fraction of the millions of acres it has been said to cover.
    — The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of hypothesis
Noun
  • Palal also rejected the defense’s contention that Davis fabricated his accounts to make money.
    — Jonathan Landrum Jr, Chicago Tribune, 1 Sep. 2026
  • The parents, who are Amish, were not aware that their baby’s death was in the national news and a source of contention.
    — Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of contention
Noun
  • The lipstick index is an economic theory holding that sales of affordable discretionary spending or luxuries skyrocket when consumers believe an economic recession is impending.
    — Sarah Glodek, Fortune, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Yet Turing’s theory of computation wasn’t really about computers, at least not at first.
    — Ben Brubaker, Quanta Magazine, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of theory
Noun
  • Despite Bonta’s assertion Wednesday that the states made no compromises, the agreement drops a key demand that children be barred from using Facebook and Instagram at school.
    — Ethan Baron, Mercury News, 27 Aug. 2026
  • They were all also alleged to have been prostitutes, though recent scholarship has challenged that assertion.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of assertion

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theses
thesis
thesp
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Cite this Entry

“Thesis.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/thesis. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on thesis

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about thesis

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