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
On the theoretical side, Alexander Friedmann took Einstein’s field equations and considered what would happen if the Universe were uniformly filled with any form of energy at all.
—
Big Think, 22 Oct. 2025
Proof in the Numbers The cost savings claims are not theoretical.
—Jon Stojan, USA Today, 21 Oct. 2025
But at the moment, so many of these benefits are theoretical.
—Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 20 Oct. 2025
For @monsharx, a 26-year-old woman living in London, England, the crush recession is not just theoretical, but personal too.
—Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for theoretical
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Big Think, 22 Oct. 2025
Proof in the Numbers The cost savings claims are not theoretical.
—Jon Stojan, USA Today, 21 Oct. 2025
But at the moment, so many of these benefits are theoretical.
—Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 20 Oct. 2025
For @monsharx, a 26-year-old woman living in London, England, the crush recession is not just theoretical, but personal too.
—Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 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 28 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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