platonic

adjective

Definition of platonicnext
as in hypothetical

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of platonic That is until Season 13 Episode 5, when Atwater reconnects with Officer Tasha Fox (Karen Obilom), a platonic friend from his past now turned lover. — Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 2 July 2026 Friendship was a tender, absurd depiction of a one-sided, quasi-platonic infatuation. — Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 2 July 2026 Psychologists say platonic connection should be actively promoted in schools, workplaces, public spaces and entertainment. — Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 1 July 2026 The platonic ideal is to have AI models developed by domestic researchers, on domestic hardware, capturing domestic values, thereby ensuring the technology’s control by the government and independence of external interference. — Nikita Ostrovsky, Time, 18 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for platonic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for platonic
  1. hypothetical
  2. theoretical
  3. potential
  4. nonexistent
  5. possible
  6. conjectural
  7. ideal
  8. alleged
Adjective
  • These are not futuristic use cases with hypothetical applications.
    — Darren Tan, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026
  • Another Noble Predictive Insights survey released in May showed Biggs losing to Hobbs in a hypothetical general election by four percentage points.
    — Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 19 July 2026
Definition of hypothetical
Adjective
  • Although the idea of putting data centers into space has long been discussed on a theoretical basis, the technology has rapidly become a red-hot topic.
    — Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 15 July 2026
  • That was driven by the theoretical potential of AI to displace traditional software, but IBM’s profit warning appeared to confirm that a secular shift is now under way.
    — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 15 July 2026
Definition of theoretical
Adjective
  • States including Washington, Montana, and Michigan, particularly near the Canadian border, are potential viewing areas.
    — Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
  • When Oliver Glasner’s appointment as Nottingham Forest manager was confirmed, many wondered whether a potential reunion with one or two of his successful Crystal Palace squad might be on the horizon.
    — Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 21 July 2026
Definition of potential
Adjective
  • Always carry a physical guidebook or printed hike details in a waterproof bag as a backup, since batteries die and cell coverage on remote trails is often nonexistent.
    — Hanna Wickes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 July 2026
  • Foreign direct investment was practically nonexistent, as were new business formations.
    — Scott Cohn, CNBC, 13 July 2026
Definition of nonexistent
Adjective
  • Widespread totals of 2 to 4 inches, with up to 6 inches in the strongest thunderstorms, are possible from the western Florida Panhandle to southern portions of Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and possibly the Texas coast.
    — Briana Waxman, CNN Money, 21 July 2026
  • To make that possible, companies must study their audience, track behavior, collect feedback and continually improve the experience rather than treating the website as a frozen asset.
    — Forbes.com, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026
Definition of possible
Adjective
  • The first two questions are too hypothetical and conjectural.
    — Baltimore Sun staff, Baltimore Sun, 20 May 2026
  • Projections of economic gains from major sporting events are typically optimistic, euphoric, chimerical or conjectural.
    — Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2025
Definition of conjectural
Adjective
  • Below it, there’s a wide concave base with a drainage hole that’s ideal for faux flowers, real flowers, or decorative rocks.
    — Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 July 2026
  • This is an ideal arrangement for handling bulky or messy supplies for projects, or for letting maintenance personnel into the home to work on the mechanical systems.
    — James Alexander, Hartford Courant, 19 July 2026
Definition of ideal
Adjective
  • Investigators also determined that Dearth’s murder occurred after an alleged altercation between the two men, the AST spokesperson said.
    — Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 19 July 2026
  • The alleged trespassing at Pritzker’s mansion took place just over a week later.
    — Dan Petrella, Chicago Tribune, 18 July 2026
Definition of alleged

Browse Nearby Words

platitudinous
platonic
platoon
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Platonic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/platonic. Accessed 22 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on platonic

Nglish: Translation of platonic for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of stalwart

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

Why do we say 'fly off the handle'?
See More

Popular

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
thumbnail graphic with text word of the day quiz
Weekly "Word of the Day" Quiz See how well you know each Word of the Day for Ju...
See All