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
The idea is not merely theoretical.
—
Ken Silverstein, Forbes.com, 21 June 2026
Before that, the idea of one day becoming king was something distant and theoretical, a concept discussed in books and family history rather than something with immediate relevance to his own life.
—Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 20 June 2026
Or the public dust-up with the Pentagon, that eventually erupted, about the theoretical use of its models in mass surveillance of US citizens, something the military doesn’t actually have the legal authority to do.
—Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 17 June 2026
The demand pressures that flow through that network are not theoretical.
—Karen Koehler, Charlotte Observer, 17 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for theoretical
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Ken Silverstein, Forbes.com, 21 June 2026
Before that, the idea of one day becoming king was something distant and theoretical, a concept discussed in books and family history rather than something with immediate relevance to his own life.
—Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 20 June 2026
Or the public dust-up with the Pentagon, that eventually erupted, about the theoretical use of its models in mass surveillance of US citizens, something the military doesn’t actually have the legal authority to do.
—Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 17 June 2026
The demand pressures that flow through that network are not theoretical.
—Karen Koehler, Charlotte Observer, 17 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for theoretical
Cite this Entry
“Theoretical.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/theoretical. Accessed 23 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
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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