counterfactually.

By considering what would be the case if actual circumstances had been different.

Use it for

Words that belong together

• reason counterfactually
• counterfactually compare

On the page

The analysts reasoned counterfactually about a world without the intervention.

Usage notes

Primary category: analysis / argumentation / evidence. Forms: Invariable adverb. Legacy lexical fields mirror sense 1 only. Use numbered sense fields for all meanings. Established modern English lexical item. No separate regional spelling or grammatical inflection entry. Commonness: moderately common.