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
From my perspective, these shifts aren’t theoretical.
—
Jack Thorogood, Forbes.com, 16 July 2025
Carter, who had a doctorate in theoretical physics, dispatched a team of officers to the Bay Area to set up an outpost—officially called the Defense Innovation Unit, but known at the Pentagon as Unit X.
—Dexter Filkins, New Yorker, 14 July 2025
Most geoengineering options are theoretical and untested.
—Pilar Melendez, NBC news, 10 July 2025
What these theoretical frameworks revealed to us and to other citizenries is that the political entities of the time did not hold up to rational scrutiny.
—Rafael Perez, Oc Register, 4 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for theoretical
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Jack Thorogood, Forbes.com, 16 July 2025
Carter, who had a doctorate in theoretical physics, dispatched a team of officers to the Bay Area to set up an outpost—officially called the Defense Innovation Unit, but known at the Pentagon as Unit X.
—Dexter Filkins, New Yorker, 14 July 2025
Most geoengineering options are theoretical and untested.
—Pilar Melendez, NBC news, 10 July 2025
What these theoretical frameworks revealed to us and to other citizenries is that the political entities of the time did not hold up to rational scrutiny.
—Rafael Perez, Oc Register, 4 July 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 30 Jul. 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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