as in theoretical
dealing with or expressing a quality or idea
conceptual thinking is often the most demanding kind of mental activity
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Recent Examples of conceptual
Since evolution is the conceptual foundation for all biology, this flawed perspective can hinder all biological and biomedical science.
—
Kevin Omland, The Conversation, 9 Feb. 2026
Diesel asks at the top of the spot (below), which shows footage of riders speeding through a conceptual rendering of the coaster — featuring vehicles that rotate along a course that also includes three inversions.
—Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 8 Feb. 2026
The apartments, approved in March by city officials, would total 311 units in four buildings with four to five stories, according to conceptual plans.
—Tom Daykin, jsonline.com, 4 Feb. 2026
That schedule was ultimately stretched into a four-year process due to reshoots and shifting logistics, but the conceptual experiment held in Petsch’s view.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 4 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for conceptual
Kevin Omland, The Conversation, 9 Feb. 2026
Diesel asks at the top of the spot (below), which shows footage of riders speeding through a conceptual rendering of the coaster — featuring vehicles that rotate along a course that also includes three inversions.
—Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 8 Feb. 2026
The apartments, approved in March by city officials, would total 311 units in four buildings with four to five stories, according to conceptual plans.
—Tom Daykin, jsonline.com, 4 Feb. 2026
That schedule was ultimately stretched into a four-year process due to reshoots and shifting logistics, but the conceptual experiment held in Petsch’s view.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 4 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for conceptual
Recent Examples of Synonyms for conceptual
Adjective
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Without proper passivation, the wafer edges act as a drain, negating the theoretical performance benefits these wafers could provide.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
14 Feb. 2026
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What makes this moment distinct is that the debate no longer feels theoretical.—
Alessandra Schade,
Time,
14 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Under this clash of Venus and Uranus, a blind spot could impact your literal plans or more metaphysical beliefs.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
8 Feb. 2026
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Suffice to say that Zi’s condition may not be a physical issue or even a mental one but, rather, a metaphysical state.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
4 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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The discussion about administrative and judicial warrants is not an abstract debate.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
16 Feb. 2026
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For Black Americans, this is not an abstract question.—
Ed Gaskin,
Boston Herald,
15 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Conceptual.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/conceptual. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.
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