theoretically

adverb the·o·ret·i·cal·ly \ ˌthē-ə-ˈre-ti-k(ə-)lē , ˌthir-ˈe-ti- \

Updated on: 13 May 2018

Definition of theoretically

1 : according to an ideal or assumed set of facts or principles : in theory

2 : in a theoretical way

Recent Examples of theoretically from the Web

Wells Fargo mailed more updates on the breach to the theoretically secret address on March 17 and March 31, the lawsuit said.

— jared gilmour, miamiherald, "A rape victim entered witness protection. Wells Fargo may have blown her cover, suit says | Miami Herald," 9 May 2018
The hack granted CyberZeist administrator privileges, which theoretically allowed the hacker to view all files on the server — not just the ones available to the public.

— nathaniel herz, Anchorage Daily News, "Hackers broke partway into Alaska’s election system in 2016. Officials say no damage was done.," 8 May 2018
But depending on the timing and elections logistics, that theoretically could be this year, or in 2020, assuming McCain relinquishes the seat in the near future.

— yvonne wingett sanchez, azcentral, "With John McCain ill, election officials, lawmakers focus on rules for filling a vacant Senate seat," 3 May 2018
This 19,940-mile trip runs from the Pakistan coast through the passage between Madagascar and Africa and around to northeastern Russia—and is the longest straight-line someone could (theoretically) sail without touching land.

— julissa treviño, Smithsonian, "This Is the Longest Straight-Line Ocean Path Around the Earth," 2 May 2018
That should happen in the opening round of the playoffs, theoretically the easiest to predict.

— michael singer, USA TODAY, "NBA playoffs: Second-round predictions from USA TODAY Sports' experts," 30 Apr. 2018
Related Wright suggests looking for such artifacts not just on the lunar surface, but also on asteroids or buried on Mars — places where such objects could theoretically survive for hundreds of millions or even billions of years.

— NBC News, "Did another advanced species exist on Earth before humans?," 30 Apr. 2018
And because the blockchain is stored on a decentralized network of computers, the records of these transactions would be theoretically impossible for hackers to corrupt.

— corinne ramey, WSJ, "The Crypto Crime Wave Is Here," 26 Apr. 2018
That gives de León a lot more time (theoretically) to catch up with Feinstein.

— ed kilgore, Daily Intelligencer, "Unlike New York’s Unions, California’s Are Backing an Insurgent Candidate," 17 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'theoretically.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of theoretically

1701

in the meaning defined at sense 2

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

Learn More about theoretically

Nglish: Translation of theoretically for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of theoretically for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up theoretically? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

theoretically

Definition of theoretically

Recent Examples of theoretically from the Web

First Known Use of theoretically

Learn More about theoretically

Seen and Heard

WORD OF THE DAY

riposte

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Test Your Vocabulary

Words at Play

Noun + Verb Insult Generator

'Judicial' v. 'Judicious': We'll Settle The Case

'Deprived' vs. 'Depraved'

'Folksonomy': Let’s Get Organized

Ask the Editors

Ghost Word

2017 Word of the Year: Behind the Scenes

Literally

Is Singular 'They' a Better Choice?

Word Games

May 2018 Words of the Day Quiz

Words Used by Nabokov Quiz

True or False?

SCRABBLE® Sprint

8 Insults Made Up of a Noun and a Verb

'Judicial' v. 'Judicious': We'll Settle The Case

May 2018 Words of the Day Quiz

Trending: Melania Trump Undergoes 'Embolization'

Ghost Word

theoretically

Definition of theoretically

Recent Examples of theoretically from the Web

First Known Use of theoretically

Learn More about theoretically

Seen and Heard

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games

8 Insults Made Up of a Noun and a Verb

'Judicial' v. 'Judicious': We'll Settle The Case

May 2018 Words of the Day Quiz

Trending: Melania Trump Undergoes 'Embolization'

Ghost Word