Synonyms/Hypernyms (Ordered by Estimated Frequency) of noun theory

3 senses of theory

Sense 1
theory -- (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")
       => explanation -- (thought that makes something comprehensible)

Sense 2
hypothesis, possibility, theory -- (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")
       => concept, conception, construct -- (an abstract or general idea inferred or derived from specific instances)

Sense 3
theory -- (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")
       => belief -- (any cognitive content held as true)