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noun as in belief, assumption to be tested

Strongest matches

• proposition
• supposition

Strong matches

• contestation
• postulation
• presumption
• presupposition

noun as in written dissertation

• argumentation
• composition
• disquisition

Weak matches

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Example sentences.

In “Back Home,” Gil also revisits the nostalgia for the South explored in his Johns Hopkins thesis, “Circle of Stone.”

At least father and son were in alignment on this central thesis: acting “gay”—bad; being thought of as gay—bad.

Her doctoral thesis, says Ramin Takloo at the University of Illinois, was simply outstanding.

Marshall McLuhan long ago argued the now accepted thesis that different mediums have different influences on thinking.

He wrote his Master's thesis on the underrepresentation of young people in Congress.

And indeed for most young men a college thesis is but an exercise for sharpening the wits, rarely dangerous in its later effects.

It will be for the reader to determine whether the main thesis of the book has gained or lost by the new evidence.

But the word thesis, when applied to Systems, does not mean the 'position' of single notes, but of groups of notes.

This conclusion, it need hardly be said, is in entire agreement with the main thesis of the preceding pages.

Sundry outlying Indians, with ammunition to waste, took belly and knee rests and strengthened the thesis to the contrary.

Related Words

Words related to thesis are not direct synonyms, but are associated with the word thesis . Browse related words to learn more about word associations.

noun as in putting regard in as true

• expectation
• understanding

noun as in main part of written work

• dissertation

noun as in written or musical creation

• arrangement
• literary work
• short story

noun as in argument for idea

• advancement
• affirmation
• asseveration
• declaration
• explanation
• maintaining
• predication

Viewing 5 / 44 related words

On this page you'll find 90 synonyms, antonyms, and words related to thesis, such as: contention, hypothesis, opinion, premise, proposition, and supposition.

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.

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Definition of thesis

Did you know.

In high school, college, or graduate school, students often have to write a thesis on a topic in their major field of study. In many fields, a final thesis is the biggest challenge involved in getting a master's degree, and the same is true for students studying for a Ph.D. (a Ph.D. thesis is often called a dissertation ). But a thesis may also be an idea; so in the course of the paper the student may put forth several theses (notice the plural form) and attempt to prove them.

Examples of thesis in a Sentence

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'thesis.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

in sense 3, Middle English, lowering of the voice, from Late Latin & Greek; Late Latin, from Greek, downbeat, more important part of a foot, literally, act of laying down; in other senses, Latin, from Greek, literally, act of laying down, from tithenai to put, lay down — more at do

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3a(1)

Dictionary Entries Near thesis

the sins of the fathers are visited upon the children

thesis novel

Cite this Entry

“Thesis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary , Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/thesis. Accessed 18 May. 2024.

Kids Definition

Kids definition of thesis, more from merriam-webster on thesis.

Nglish: Translation of thesis for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of thesis for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about thesis

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Definition of thesis noun from the Oxford Advanced American Dictionary

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• formulate/advance a theory/hypothesis
• build/construct/create/develop a simple/theoretical/mathematical model
• develop/establish/provide/use a theoretical/conceptual framework/an algorithm
• advance/argue/develop the thesis that…
• explore an idea/a concept/a hypothesis
• make a prediction/an inference
• base a prediction/your calculations on something
• investigate/evaluate/accept/challenge/reject a theory/hypothesis/model
• design an experiment/a questionnaire/a study/a test
• do research/an experiment/an analysis
• make observations/calculations
• take/record measurements
• carry out/conduct/perform an experiment/a test/a longitudinal study/observations/clinical trials
• run an experiment/a simulation/clinical trials
• repeat an experiment/a test/an analysis
• replicate a study/the results/the findings
• observe/study/examine/investigate/assess a pattern/a process/a behavior
• fund/support the research/project/study
• seek/provide/get/secure funding for research
• collect/gather/extract data/information
• yield data/evidence/similar findings/the same results
• analyze/examine the data/soil samples/a specimen
• consider/compare/interpret the results/findings
• fit the data/model
• confirm/support/verify a prediction/a hypothesis/the results/the findings
• prove a conjecture/hypothesis/theorem
• draw/make/reach the same conclusions
• read/review the records/literature
• describe/report an experiment/a study
• present/publish/summarize the results/findings
• present/publish/read/review/cite a paper in a scientific journal

Nearby words

No, the House didn't pass bill to 'outlaw' the New Testament | Fact check

The claim: House passed bill to outlaw the New Testament

A May 3 Facebook post ( direct link , archive link ) shows a screenshot of a headline that claims federal lawmakers took steps to ban a religious text central to Christianity.

"US Congress House Passes Bill to Outlaw New Testament," the headline reads. Below it is text that reads, "The US House of Representatives passed the Antisemitism Awareness Act, but concerns arise over its potential restriction on the biblical portrayal of Jesus' crucifixion."

The post's caption reads, "Remember, they don't want to you (sic) reading the Bible!"

The post was shared more than 100 times in a week.

More from the Fact-Check Team: How we pick and research claims | Email newsletter | Facebook page

Our rating: False

The bill referenced in the post would not outlaw the New Testament, according to multiple legal experts. Instead, it would require the Department of Education to use a certain definition of antisemitism when it enforces federal anti-discrimination laws on college campuses.

Bill defines antisemitism in federal anti-discrimination law

In early May, the House approved legislation that, if enacted, would expand the definition of antisemitism that the Department of Education uses when it investigates discrimination against Jews on college campuses. It passed with some bipartisan support amid a wave of protests on college campuses over Israel's war in Gaza. The bill's fate in the Senate is uncertain, the Associated Press reported.

The legislation, called the Antisemitism Awareness Act , would apply the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance 's definition of antisemitism to Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 , which prohibits discrimination based on "race, color and national origin in programs and activities receiving federal financial assistance." That includes all colleges and universities that receive federal funds.

In a post on X , formerly Twitter, Florida Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene said before the vote she wouldn't support the legislation, claiming it "could convict Christians of antisemitism for believing the Gospel that Jesus was handed over to Herod to be crucified by the Jews." Similarly, Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz said in an X post that “the Gospel itself would meet the definition of antisemitism under the terms of the bill.”

Fact check : House condemned pro-Palestinian slogan in resolution, did not ban it

But Richard Painter , a University of Minnesota law professor, told USA TODAY that the legislation "doesn't outlaw the New Testament at all," nor would it ban the religious text from federally funded institutions.

"You're not banning something, you're conditioning federal funds on something," Painter said. "That's different than banning it."

While certain passages of the New Testament could potentially be interpreted in ways that fit the bill's definition of antisemitism, "that doesn't mean the New Testament itself would meet the definition of antisemitism," Painter said.

Jason Mazzone , a law professor at the University of Illinois, said there is no plausible way to interpret the legislation as banning the New Testament, even in a higher education setting.

"Title VI has never been understood to require schools and other recipients of federal funding to remove or prohibit from campus books on the basis that they may contain offensive material," Mazzone said. "Nothing in the Antisemitism Awareness Act newly imposes such a requirement. And if it did, it would be a clear violation of the First Amendment."

There is only one reference to the New Testament in the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's definition of antisemitism – in this example : "Using the symbols and images associated with classic antisemitism (e.g., claims of Jews killing Jesus or blood libel) to characterize Israel or Israelis."

The Anti-Defamation League and the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum both consider the claim that Jews killed Jesus to be an antisemitic myth used to justify violence against Jews for centuries. In 2011, Pope Benedict XVI wrote that there is no basis in scripture to support the claim that Jewish people as a whole were collectively responsible for Jesus' death, CBS News reported .

USA TODAY reached out to the social media user who shared the post for comment but did not immediately receive a response.

Our fact-check sources:

• Richard Painter , May 8, Phone interview with USA TODAY
• Jason Mazzone , May 9, Email exchange with USA TODAY
• Associated Press, May 1, House passes bill to expand definition of antisemitism amid growing campus protests over Gaza war
• The New York Times, May 2, Bill to Combat Antisemitism on Campuses Prompts Backlash From the Right
• Congress.gov, accessed May 10, H.R.6090 - Antisemitism Awareness Act of 2023
• International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance, accessed May 10, Working definition of antisemitism
• Justice Department, accessed May 10, Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964

Thank you for supporting our journalism. You can subscribe to our print edition, ad-free app or e-newspaper here .

USA TODAY is a verified signatory of the International Fact-Checking Network, which requires a demonstrated commitment to nonpartisanship, fairness and transparency. Our fact-check work is supported in part by a grant from Meta .

Definition of 'thesis'

thesis in American English

Thesis in british english, examples of 'thesis' in a sentence thesis, related word partners thesis, trends of thesis.

View usage over: Since Exist Last 10 years Last 50 years Last 100 years Last 300 years

In other languages thesis

• American English : thesis / ˈθisɪs /
• Brazilian Portuguese : tese
• Chinese : 论点
• European Spanish : tesis
• French : thèse
• German : These
• Italian : tesi
• Japanese : 主張
• Korean : 논지
• European Portuguese : tese
• Spanish : tesis
• Thai : ข้อสมมุติ, ข้อวินิจฉัย

Browse alphabetically thesis

• thesis play
• thesmothete
• All ENGLISH words that begin with 'T'

Related terms of thesis

• academic thesis
• central thesis
• doctoral thesis
• View more related words

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Word of the day.

improvised; having the character of an improvisation.

Why Dictionary.com chose impromptu

More about impromptu.

• First recorded in 1660–70.
• A bit ironically, impromptu comes via French from the Latin phrase in promptū , “in readiness.”
• Prompt , “done at once,” also derives from the Latin word promptus “manifest, at hand, ready.”

EXAMPLES OF IMPROMPTU

• They decided to have an impromptu picnic in the park when the weather suddenly cleared up.
• There was no clear plan so the next steps felt a bit  impromptu .

in or with the family; at home .

Why Dictionary.com chose en famille

More about en famille.

• First recorded in 1720–30.
• Comes from the French phrase, translated literally as “in family.”

EXAMPLES OF EN FAMILLE

• The tradition of Sunday brunch en famille is cherished in many households.
• When you appreciate your co-workers, working doesn’t feel like work; it feels like you are spending time en famille .

appellative

designative; descriptive.

Why Dictionary.com chose appellative

More about appellative.

• First recorded around 1375–1425.
• Comes via late Middle English from the Late Latin word appellātīvus . 
• Related to the Latin word appellātus , meaning “called upon, named, appealed to.”

EXAMPLES OF APPELLATIVE

• The appellative term “Big Apple” is often used to describe the city of New York.
• In this context, the word “whale” is appellative for large marine mammals.

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Definition of thesis – Learner’s Dictionary

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thesis noun [C] ( WRITING )

Thesis noun [c] ( idea ).

(Definition of thesis from the Cambridge Learner's Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)

Translations of thesis

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Searching out and tracking down: talking about finding or discovering things

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Opinion ‘Salacious’ and other words that don’t quite mean what people think

Certain words — “coruscating,” “pulchritude,” “bemused” — don’t mean what many people think they do.

Benjamin Dreyer, the former executive managing editor and copy chief at Random House, is the author of “ Dreyer’s English: An Utterly Correct Guide to Clarity and Style .”

If there’s anything the world learned regarding the testimony of adult-film actress Stormy Daniels in Donald Trump’s hush money trial in New York, it’s that her story was salacious . Daniels was “the bringer of salacious detail” ( New York Times ), she provided “salacious testimony” ( The Post ) and listeners whispered “about a particularly salacious detail” ( NBC News ).

But was it indeed salacious? Our friends at Merriam-Webster say that the word means “arousing or appealing to sexual desire or imagination.” That doesn’t sound to me like what was going on in the courtroom. Was the testimony explicit? Sure. Lurid, most definitely. Depressingly squalid, you bet. But not, I’d say, salacious.

The disconnect was just another example of what I have long thought of as Redefinition by Misapprehended Inference. It’s the means by which numerous people repeatedly hear or see a word used in a perfectly standard context but then misunderstand, a little or a lot, what was in fact meant, and then carry that misapprehension forward, contributing to its widespread use.

That’s how repeated references, across many years, to “coruscating wit” have led to the increasingly common impression that “coruscating” means something like “direly and viciously critical” — in part because what is wit if it isn’t wielded to insult and put down? (sigh) — and also, certainly, because the word literally looks as if it means corrosive and scathing, with a side order of excoriating.

But what does “coruscating” actually mean ? Sparkling.

Just that. Simply: sparkling.

Or it’s the means by which the sight of the phrase “feminine pulchritude” has led to the notion — based, I presume, on the tastes of a reasonable portion of the American population — that “pulchritude” is a fancy way of saying buxomness, when all the word means is beauty .

Now, if you’re of the school that subscribes to the notion that all words mean what some people think they mean — a school in which I never enrolled — then I’ve probably already lost you. You’re welcome to use “bemused” to mean wryly amused , as if wearing a bow tie and sipping a martini , “nonplussed” to mean cool as a cucumber and “penultimate” to mean wow, like, ultimate to the max, dude , when what they truly (pardon me: traditionally) mean is, respectively, “confused and bewildered,” “unsure and perplexed” and “second to last.” (There’s also “antepenultimate,” referring not to your dad’s wonderful sister, but meaning “the one that comes before second to last.”)

As to “salacious,” then, I can only imagine that hearing countless novels and movies (have you seen Luca Guadagnino’s “Challengers” ?) referred to as salacious might lead one to guiltily assume that anything sexual, even if it’s grimly mercenary and barely consensual, can be described as salacious.

And yet: One of the upsides to there being far more words in the English language than any of us can make use of is that, if one truly delves, one can find the word that means precisely what one wants and needs it to mean, rather than nearly what one means — or not even vaguely what one means.

All you have to do is look (it up).

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