A thesis is an idea or theory that is expressed as a statement and is discussed in a logical way.
This thesis does not stand up to close inspection.
...the thesis that computers can be programmed to do anything a human mind does.
Synonyms: proposition, theory, hypothesis, idea More Synonyms of thesis
2. countable noun
A thesis is a long piece of writing based on your own ideas and research that you do as part of a university degree,especially a higher degree such as a PhD.
He was awarded his PhD for a thesis on industrial robots.
Synonyms: dissertation, paper, treatise, essay More Synonyms of thesis
More Synonyms of thesis
thesis in British English
(ˈθiːsɪs)
nounWord forms: plural-ses (-siːz)
1.
a dissertation resulting from original research, esp when submitted by a candidate for a degree or diploma
2.
a doctrine maintained or promoted in argument
3.
a subject for a discussion or essay
4.
an unproved statement, esp one put forward as a premise in an argument
5. music
the downbeat of a bar, as indicated in conducting
6.
(in classical prosody) the syllable or part of a metrical foot not receiving the ictus
Compare arsis
7. philosophy
the first stage in the Hegelian dialectic, that is challenged by the antithesis
Word origin
C16: via Late Latin from Greek: a placing, from tithenai to place
thesis in American English
(ˈθisɪs)
nounWord forms: pluralˈtheˌses (ˈθiˌsiz)
1.
a.
in classical Greek poetry, the long syllable of a foot
b.
in later poetry, the short or unaccented syllable or syllables of a foot
2.
a proposition maintained or defended in argument, formerly one publicly disputed by a candidate for a degree in a medieval university
3.
a formal and lengthy research paper, esp. a work of original research written in partial fulfillment of the requirements for a master's degree
see also dissertation
4.
an unproved statement assumed as a premise
5.
in Hegelian philosophy, the initial, least adequate phase of development in dialectic
see also dialectic (sense 3)
Word origin
L < Gr, a placing, position, proposition < base of tithenai, to put, place: see do1
Examples of 'thesis' in a sentence
thesis
This is misleading and greatly weakens his central thesis.
The Times Literary Supplement (2013)
The central thesis of the book turns on the idea of an imperial project.
The Times Literary Supplement (2010)
The central thesis is that architecture shapes us just as much as we shape it.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
He was awarded the degree for a thesis on character recognition.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
But one thesis about why poverty is so often paired with low intellectual attainment could prove seismic.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
He knows it because he did a university thesis on it.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Write from a thesis that you can support with specific data that you have read or collected from your interviews.
Bachmann, Susan (editor) & Barth, Melinda Between Worlds: A Reader, Rhetoric and Handbook (1995)
But back to the original thesis.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
The book's central thesis is that sadness seems always to have existed.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
But we're getting away from the central thesis.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
There is no thesis, no original viewpoint.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Perhaps this is because his book was originally a doctoral thesis and it has not fully shaken off the shackles of its original form.
The Times Literary Supplement (2013)
Her central thesis is that women have been forced to deny their true nurturing nature by the social pressure to succeed in the workplace.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
I was halfway through a doctoral thesis on piloting techniques for space rendezvous.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
She had done all the research for her thesis and knew the results, but she wanted help with the final draft.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
It was a long speech but an engaging one, its thesis being that music can heal the disconnect between our best and worst impulses.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Norfolk gentry in the 15th century - my university thesis?
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Her university thesis was on'European nihilism '.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
He gained first-class honours in history in 1933 and held a research fellowship while writing his doctoral thesis.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Whether or not you buy his central thesis, you're bound to be struck by some of his findings.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
In other languages
thesis
British English: thesis NOUN
A thesis is an idea or theory that is expressed as a statement and is discussed in a logical way.
This thesis does not stand up to close inspection.
American English: thesis
Brazilian Portuguese: tese
Chinese: 论点
European Spanish: tesis
French: thèse
German: These
Italian: tesi
Japanese: 主張
Korean: 논지
European Portuguese: tese
Latin American Spanish: tesis
Chinese translation of 'thesis'
thesis
(ˈθiːsɪs)
Word forms:pltheses (ˈθiːsiːz)
n(c)
(for degree) 论(論)文 (lùnwén) (篇, piān)
(= argument) 论(論)点(點) (lùndiǎn) (个(個), gè)
1 (noun)
Definition
an opinion supported by reasoned argument
This thesis does not stand up to close inspection.
Synonyms
proposition
the proposition that monarchs derived their authority by divine right
theory
He produced a theory about historical change.
hypothesis
Different hypotheses have been put forward.
idea
It's a good idea to keep a stock of tins in the cupboard.
view
You should make your views known to your local MP.
opinion
Most who expressed an opinion spoke favourably of her.
proposal
the government's proposals to abolish free health care
contention
Sufficient research evidence exists to support this contention.
line of argument
2 (noun)
Definition
a written work resulting from original research, esp. one submitted for a higher degree in a university
He was awarded his PhD for a thesis on industrial robots.
Synonyms
dissertation
He is currently writing a dissertation.
paper
He has just written a paper on the subject.
treatise
a lengthy treatise on prison reform
essay
He was asked to write an essay about his home town.
composition
Write a composition on the subject `What I Did on My Holidays'.
monograph
disquisition
She launched into an authoritative disquisition.
3 (noun)
Definition
an unproved statement put forward as a premise in an argument
His central thesis is that it's crucial to document as many dying languages as possible.
Synonyms
premise
the premise that men and women are on equal terms in this society
subject
It was I who first raised the subject of moving to Canada.
statement
proposition
theme
The novel's central theme is obsession.
topic
They offer tips on topics such as home safety.
assumption
They are wrong in their assumption that we are all alike.
postulate
surmise
Her surmise proved correct.
supposition
There's a popular supposition that we're publicly funded.
Additional synonyms
in the sense of assumption
Definition
something that is taken for granted
They are wrong in their assumption that we are all alike.
Synonyms
presumption,
theory,
opinion,
belief,
guess,
expectation,
fancy,
suspicion,
premise,
acceptance,
hypothesis,
anticipation,
inference,
conjecture,
surmise,
supposition,
presupposition,
premise,
postulation
in the sense of composition
Definition
a written exercise
Write a composition on the subject `What I Did on My Holidays'.
Synonyms
essay,
writing,
study,
exercise,
treatise,
literary work
in the sense of contention
Definition
a point asserted in argument
Sufficient research evidence exists to support this contention.
Synonyms
assertion,
claim,
stand,
idea,
view,
position,
maintaining,
opinion,
argument,
belief,
allegation,
profession,
declaration,
thesis,
affirmation,
asseveration (formal)
Synonyms of 'thesis'
thesis
Explore 'thesis' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of disquisition
Definition
a formal written or oral examination of a subject
She launched into an authoritative disquisition.
Synonyms
lecture,
discourse,
exposition,
dissertation,
paper,
essay,
thesis,
treatise
in the sense of essay
Definition
a short piece of writing on a subject done as an exercise by a student
He was asked to write an essay about his home town.
Synonyms
composition,
study,
paper,
article,
piece,
assignment,
discourse,
tract,
treatise,
dissertation,
disquisition,
SA
in the sense of hypothesis
Definition
a suggested explanation for a group of facts, accepted either as a basis for further verification or as likely to be true
Different hypotheses have been put forward.
Synonyms
theory,
premise,
proposition,
assumption,
thesis,
postulate,
supposition,
premise
in the sense of idea
Definition
a scheme, intention, or plan
It's a good idea to keep a stock of tins in the cupboard.
Synonyms
plan,
scheme,
proposal,
design,
theory,
strategy,
method,
solution,
suggestion,
recommendation,
proposition
in the sense of opinion
Definition
belief not founded on certainty or proof but on what seems probable
Most who expressed an opinion spoke favourably of her.
Synonyms
belief,
feeling,
view,
idea,
theory,
notion,
conviction,
point of view,
sentiment,
viewpoint,
persuasion,
conjecture
in the sense of paper
Definition
a lecture or an essay on a specific subject
He has just written a paper on the subject.
Synonyms
essay,
study,
article,
analysis,
script,
composition,
assignment,
thesis,
critique,
treatise,
dissertation,
monograph
in the sense of proposal
Definition
a suggestion put forward for consideration
the government's proposals to abolish free health care
Synonyms
suggestion,
plan,
programme,
scheme,
offer,
terms,
design,
project,
bid,
motion,
recommendation,
tender,
presentation,
proposition,
overture,
proffer
in the sense of subject
Definition
the person, thing, or topic being dealt with or discussed
It was I who first raised the subject of moving to Canada.
Synonyms
topic,
question,
issue,
matter,
point,
business,
affair,
object,
theme,
substance,
subject matter,
field of inquiry or reference
in the sense of supposition
Definition
an idea or a statement believed or assumed to be true
There's a popular supposition that we're publicly funded.
Synonyms
belief,
idea,
notion,
view,
theory,
speculation,
assumption,
hypothesis,
presumption,
conjecture,
postulate,
surmise,
guesswork,
guess
in the sense of surmise
Definition
a conclusion based on incomplete or uncertain evidence
Her surmise proved correct.
Synonyms
guess,
speculation,
assumption,
thought,
idea,
conclusion,
notion,
suspicion,
hypothesis,
deduction,
inference,
presumption,
conjecture,
supposition
Additional synonyms
in the sense of theme
Definition
the main idea or topic in a discussion or lecture
The novel's central theme is obsession.
Synonyms
subject,
idea,
topic,
matter,
argument,
text,
burden,
essence,
thesis,
subject matter,
keynote,
gist,
through-line (Australian, US, Canadian)
in the sense of theory
Definition
a set of ideas, based on evidence and careful reasoning, which offers an explanation of how something works or why something happens, but has not been completely proved
He produced a theory about historical change.
Synonyms
hypothesis,
philosophy,
system of ideas,
plan,
system,
science,
scheme,
proposal,
principles,
ideology,
thesis
in the sense of topic
Definition
a subject of a speech, book, conversation, etc.
They offer tips on topics such as home safety.
Synonyms
subject,
point,
question,
issue,
matter,
theme,
text,
thesis,
subject matter
in the sense of treatise
Definition
a formal piece of writing that deals systematically with a particular subject
a lengthy treatise on prison reform
Synonyms
paper,
work,
writing,
study,
essay,
thesis,
tract,
pamphlet,
exposition,
dissertation,
monograph,
disquisition
in the sense of view
Definition
opinion, judgment, or belief
You should make your views known to your local MP.