Basis
Basis noun - An immaterial thing upon which something else rests.
Usage example: the sole basis for the rumor is someone's overactive imagination
Theory is a synonym for basis in action topic. In some cases you can use "Theory" instead a noun "Basis", when it comes to topics like foundation, fundamental principle.
Nearby Word: basic
Theory
Theory noun - An idea that is the starting point for making a case or conducting an investigation.
Basis is a synonym for theory in hypothesis topic. Sometimes you can use "Basis" instead a noun "Theory", if it concerns topics such as fundamental principle.
Mutual synonyms
How words are described
Both words in one sentence
-
For various reasons, the theory of evolution is the only scientific theory that gets challenged on a regular basis in Real Life.
Source: Gravity Is Only a Theory -
A similar intuition forms the basis of a theory of how societies rise and fall put forward by economist Mancur Olson, in "Rise and Decline of Nations."
Source: The Cycle of Empires - The author has used this theory as the basis for at least two books, The Righteous Mind and The Happiness Hypothesis as well as several essays and articles.
Source: Five Foundations of Morality
Cite this Source
Theory and Basis. (2016). Retrieved 2026, July 21, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/basis/theory
Basis & Theory. N.p., 2016. Web. 21 Jul. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/basis/theory>.
Theory or Basis. 2016. Accessed July 21, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/basis/theory.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "basis" and "theory" have occurred on timeline