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

Synonyms of theoretical next

: existing only in theory : hypothetical

gave as an example a theoretical situation

: relating to or having the character of theory : abstract

: confined to theory or speculation often in contrast to practical applications : speculative

theoretical physics

: 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 scholar of Cold War history, and former researcher at American University’s Nuclear Studies Institute, will deliver a lecture on the theoretical physicist and the other personalities behind the bomb, as well as the dynamics that shaped them. —

Chris Richards, Washington Post, 21 Sep. 2023 That’s why a typical single-junction solar cell—a cell made of one layer of light-absorbing material—has a theoretical efficiency limit of just 34 percent; typical commercial solar cells today are only 15 to 20 percent efficient. —

Tracy H. Schloemer, IEEE Spectrum, 19 Sep. 2023 There is a theoretical, magic tipping point for adoption of electric vehicles. —

Shannon Osaka, Emily Guskin, Anchorage Daily News, 18 Sep. 2023 Christopher Nolan's World War II biopic about theoretical physicist and Manhattan Project scientist J. Robert Oppenheimer earned another $12.8 million over the weekend, including $10.7 million from foreign markets and $2.1 million from domestically, according to Box Office Mojo. —

Michael Lee Simpson, Peoplemag, 18 Sep. 2023 The somber biographical epic follows the American theoretical physicist who led the development of the atomic bomb, which helped to end World War II. —

Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 17 Sep. 2023 The Importance of Rare Events Ryan Chisholm, a theoretical ecologist and professor at the National University of Singapore who studies tropical tree distribution, agrees that Kalyuzhny’s findings fit with previous work on CNDD. —

Quanta Magazine, 14 Sep. 2023 Carbon pricing is transforming theoretical support for embedding sustainability into tangible financial resources. —

Nora Lovell Marchant, Fortune, 15 Sep. 2023 Exactly how much North Korea could supply in any theoretical deal is unknown. —

Adam Taylor, Washington Post, 14 Sep. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'theoretical.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.