theoretically

adverb

the·​o·​ret·​i·​cal·​ly ˌthē-ə-ˈre-ti-k(ə-)lē 

ˌthir-ˈe-ti-

1

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

2

: in a theoretical way

Examples of theoretically in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

That amount could theoretically be refined into material for about 11 nuclear weapons, according to US assessments. —Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 9 Mar. 2026

Cho’s trip came as relations between Beijing and Tokyo remain at a low point after Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said in November that Japan’s armed forces could theoretically be deployed in the event of a Chinese invasion of Taiwan. —Yian Lee, Bloomberg, 8 Mar. 2026

For computer and math workers, large language models are theoretically capable of handling 94% of their tasks. —Jake Angelo, Fortune, 6 Mar. 2026

The designation is usually reserved for firms in unfriendly countries, such as China’s Huawei, and theoretically means Anthropic cannot work with any companies with military contracts. —Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 6 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1626, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for theoretically

• parenthetically
• sympathetically
• electrophoretically
• hermetically
• magnetically
• pathetically