variants
also theoretic
1
as in hypothetical
existing only as an assumption or speculation
the merits of the new testing procedures are purely theoretical, since no one has ever used them before
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in metaphysical
dealing with or expressing a quality or idea
the theoretical musings in his new book are less engaging than the anecdote-driven arguments of his previous works
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of theoretical
The direct capture of second sound shows that even long-standing theoretical predictions in physics may eventually yield to persistence and ingenuity.
—
Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 8 Sep. 2025
Create pathways where experienced professionals work directly with newcomers on real projects, not just theoretical training.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 7 Sep. 2025
The apparent contradiction between functioning hierarchy and theoretical equality is often invoked in the novel’s pages, without generating much tension.
—Hannah Gold, New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2025
The researchers strengthened their findings with some theoretical results showing that, on some level, such subliminal learning is a fundamental attribute of a neural network.
—Emma R. Hasson, Scientific American, 29 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for theoretical
Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 8 Sep. 2025
Create pathways where experienced professionals work directly with newcomers on real projects, not just theoretical training.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 7 Sep. 2025
The apparent contradiction between functioning hierarchy and theoretical equality is often invoked in the novel’s pages, without generating much tension.
—Hannah Gold, New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2025
The researchers strengthened their findings with some theoretical results showing that, on some level, such subliminal learning is a fundamental attribute of a neural network.
—Emma R. Hasson, Scientific American, 29 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for theoretical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for theoretical
Adjective
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Based on the state’s 2019 study, the county would likely have valued this hypothetical home around 92% of its market value.—
Madeline King,
Kansas City Star,
7 Sep. 2025
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And that fear isn’t hypothetical.—
David Rodriguez Muñoz,
Freep.com,
7 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Gleason, famously fascinated with UFOs and metaphysical theory, dreamed up the circular home that embodied futuristic ambition while showcasing old-fashioned craftsmanship.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
3 Sep. 2025
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Dao and qi are two metaphysical categories that persisted throughout the history of Chinese thought, with various interpretations of their unification and separation.—
Daniel Birnbaum,
Artforum,
1 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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This quiz invites you to journey through the golden age of literary sci-fi, where philosophical depth meets speculative wonder.—
Kenna Hughes-Castleberry,
Space.com,
9 Sep. 2025
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Kaluza’s solution, subsequently reused down the line by many others, was to take a speculative leap into the fifth dimension, allowing general relativity and electromagnetism to be unified together in what would become known as Kaluza-Klein theory.—
Ethan Siegel,
Big Think,
9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Even within the central nervous system, there was a conceptual hierarchy with the brain controlling the spinal cord.—
Sara Giordano,
The Conversation,
4 Sep. 2025
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Pettman’s book might best be read as comfort for the ghosted, providing a conceptual framework and a history of the idea.—
Kyle Chayka,
New Yorker,
3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Projections of economic gains from major sporting events are typically optimistic, euphoric, chimerical or conjectural.—
Michael Hiltzik,
Los Angeles Times,
19 June 2025
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That statistic is somewhat conjectural, since the vast majority of rapes in India are apparently not reported.—
Mark Jenkins,
Washington Post,
7 Nov. 2023
Adjective
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Not abstract, delayed or generalized data, but precise, real-time and location-specific insights delivered from the world’s most remote forests, deepest watersheds and most polluted urban corridors.—
Michael De Nil,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
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As anyone who’s ever had a two-year-old could tell you, kids that age don’t quite see things in such abstract terms.—
David Ehrlich,
IndieWire,
10 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Theoretical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/theoretical. Accessed 12 Sep. 2025.
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