theoretical
adjective
the·o·ret·i·cal
ˌthē-ə-ˈre-ti-kəl 
ˌthir-ˈe-ti-kəl
variants
or less commonly theoretic
ˌthē-ə-ˈre-tik
ˌthir-ˈe-tik
1
: existing only in theory : hypothetical
gave as an example a theoretical situation
2
a
: relating to or having the character of theory : abstract
b
: confined to theory or speculation often in contrast to practical applications : speculative
theoretical physics
3
: given to or skilled in theorizing
a brilliant theoretical physicist
Examples of theoretical in a Sentence
On a theoretical level, hiring more people seems logical.
The idea is purely theoretical at this point.
The danger is more than just a theoretical possibility.
Recent Examples on the Web
But You fans invested in a theoretical off-screen romance.
—
Tommy McArdle, PEOPLE, 27 Oct. 2025
Arjun Berera, a theoretical physicist at the University of Edinburgh, who was also not involved in the new study, was the first to propose warm inflation in 1995.
—Stephanie Pappas, Scientific American, 27 Oct. 2025
The risk for both Milei and Washington is not theoretical.
—Jesus Mesa, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Oct. 2025
The research team underlined that their real-world tests are supported by a comprehensive theoretical and computational model, which can accurately predict the complex behavior, of twisting gyroid lattices under different strain rates.
—Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 25 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for theoretical
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Tommy McArdle, PEOPLE, 27 Oct. 2025
Arjun Berera, a theoretical physicist at the University of Edinburgh, who was also not involved in the new study, was the first to propose warm inflation in 1995.
—Stephanie Pappas, Scientific American, 27 Oct. 2025
The risk for both Milei and Washington is not theoretical.
—Jesus Mesa, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Oct. 2025
The research team underlined that their real-world tests are supported by a comprehensive theoretical and computational model, which can accurately predict the complex behavior, of twisting gyroid lattices under different strain rates.
—Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 25 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for theoretical
Cite this Entry
“Theoretical.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/theoretical. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
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theoretical
adjective
the·o·ret·i·cal
ˌthē-ə-ˈret-i-kəl
ˌthi(-ə)r-ˈet-
variants
also theoretic
1
a
: relating to or having the character of theory : abstract
b
: limited to theory or speculation : speculative
theoretical physics
2
: existing only in theory : hypothetical
a theoretical situation
theoretically
adverb
-i-k(ə-)lē
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