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
But Swanson isn’t ready to endorse reverse framing, a conceptual strategy in which catchers could try to make strikes look like balls in an effort to fool opposing hitters into wasting a challenge.
—
Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 31 Mar. 2026
The threads link works across the gallery, forming visual and conceptual relationships between artists.
—Olga Garcia-Mayoral, Miami Herald, 31 Mar. 2026
But since 2021, the city’s rules have been little more than conceptual and led to virtually no affordable units, the city said.
—Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 31 Mar. 2026
Ryan, who is Orange County based, will begin the conceptual design phase of the memorial, including the preparation of detailed sketches and a 12-inch maquette.
—Magda Liszewska, Oc Register, 30 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for conceptual
Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 31 Mar. 2026
The threads link works across the gallery, forming visual and conceptual relationships between artists.
—Olga Garcia-Mayoral, Miami Herald, 31 Mar. 2026
But since 2021, the city’s rules have been little more than conceptual and led to virtually no affordable units, the city said.
—Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 31 Mar. 2026
Ryan, who is Orange County based, will begin the conceptual design phase of the memorial, including the preparation of detailed sketches and a 12-inch maquette.
—Magda Liszewska, Oc Register, 30 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for conceptual
Recent Examples of Synonyms for conceptual
Adjective
-
John Preskill, a senior theoretical physicist at the university with a long history in the field of quantum error correction, advised the group.—
Quanta Magazine,
Quanta Magazine,
3 Apr. 2026
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That alone suggests Google expects quantum computing to be close enough to move from a theoretical problem to a practical one, which means other companies will almost certainly take note and follow suit.—
Alan Henry,
PC Magazine,
3 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The movie addresses metaphysical questions such as the egregore of a generation, the nature of evil, and the search for God in times of His absence.—
PhotoVogue,
Vogue,
19 Mar. 2026
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The most fundamental consequences of being struck by lightning are often metaphysical, and not easily communicable.—
Jacob Stern,
The Atlantic,
16 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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For the people living through it, war is not abstract.—
Maliha Rahman,
Sun Sentinel,
5 Apr. 2026
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Rauschenberg was presumably familiar with Siskind’s views on the inherently abstract nature of photography.—
Hilton Als,
New Yorker,
4 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Conceptual.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/conceptual. Accessed 11 Apr. 2026.
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