Definition of theoretical
1 : existing only in theory : hypothetical gave as an example a theoretical situation
2a : relating to or having the character of theory : abstractb : 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
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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 of theoretical from the Web
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This detailed explanation of death via black hole, however, is theoretical.
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However, the position proved problematic during the administration of former President Barrack Obama when Steven Koonin, also a theoretical physicist, served as undersecretary for science.
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And I have been involved in some of the observations that followed up on that and also in some of the theoretical modeling of this phenomenon.
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Mirzakhani, whose theoretical work focused on understanding the symmetry of curved surfaces, received the medal at an event in Seoul in 2014.
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In the 1980s physicists fascinated by this conundrum came up with a theory that explained both attributes in terms of a single process, known as cosmic inflation, a theoretical path which led, in time, to the interest in multiverses.
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However, there was a theoretical best lap of 2:11 according to the Traqmate (compared with an actual best lap of 2:14.4).
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With the election of Donald Trump the theoretical ideas behind federalism have taken on new urgency.
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The acronym is also a nod to Paul Dirac, the English theoretical physicist who predicted the existence of antimatter.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'theoretical.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of theoretical
Late Latin theoreticus, from Greek theōrētikos, from theōrein to look at
THEORETICAL Defined for English Language Learners
theoretical
playDefinition of theoretical for English Language Learners
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: relating to what is possible or imagined rather than to what is known to be true or real
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: relating to the general principles or ideas of a subject rather than the practical uses of those ideas
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