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
For the 9/11 community, that delay isn’t theoretical.
—
Michael Barasch, Boston Herald, 13 Apr. 2026
As production ramps up, the competitive landscape is shifting away from theoretical performance metrics and toward more practical benchmarks such as cost per cycle and alignment with specific applications, CarNewsChina adds.
—Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 11 Apr. 2026
This week, that scenario started to feel less theoretical.
—Kevin Collier, NBC news, 11 Apr. 2026
And as with a theoretical modern-day version of Veep, there’s a sense that fact is already starting to lap fiction.
—Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 10 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for theoretical
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Michael Barasch, Boston Herald, 13 Apr. 2026
As production ramps up, the competitive landscape is shifting away from theoretical performance metrics and toward more practical benchmarks such as cost per cycle and alignment with specific applications, CarNewsChina adds.
—Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 11 Apr. 2026
This week, that scenario started to feel less theoretical.
—Kevin Collier, NBC news, 11 Apr. 2026
And as with a theoretical modern-day version of Veep, there’s a sense that fact is already starting to lap fiction.
—Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 10 Apr. 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 17 Apr. 2026.
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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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