counterfactual
/ˌkaʊntərˈfæktʃuəl/
relating to what has not happened but might have
counterfactual in a sentence
“A counterfactual question: what if we hadn't made that change?”
Origin of counterfactual
Latin contra against + factum fact + -al
Related Words
meta
referring to itself or to the conventions of its type
loaded
containing an assumption that may not be true
compound
combining multiple questions into one
pertinent
relevant or applicable to the matter at hand
tangential
only slightly relevant; diverging from the main point
open-ended
allowing a free response rather than a yes/no