PLATONIC Synonyms: 69 Similar and Opposite Words

platonic

adjective

Definition of platonic

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 While setting the record straight, the actress explained that her relationship with Cameli is strictly platonic. — Julia Moore, PEOPLE, 15 July 2026 So, any hope for the two best platonic friends to reunite in the afterlife, or perhaps a follow-up season? — Reshma Gopaldas, IndieWire, 9 July 2026 Ben Affleck's best friend and platonic life partner played small parts for years before hitting his breakthrough alongside Affleck for their film Good Will Hunting (1997), which the pair co-wrote and costarred in. — Brianna Zigler, Entertainment Weekly, 3 July 2026 Friendship was a tender, absurd depiction of a one-sided, quasi-platonic infatuation. — Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 2 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for platonic

Recent Examples of Synonyms for platonic

Adjective

Then both writers picked the hypothetical game’s winner, all in a quest to determine who really is the best.

— Scott Dochterman, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2026
The study estimated both the investment returns and taxes imposed on a hypothetical investor who held a market portfolio from 1926 to 2025.

— Bob Carlson, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of hypothetical

Adjective

There is a theoretical possibility that a team taking too long over five simultaneous substitutions could be forced to play with six for a while, which could be fun.

— Graham Scott, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026
Errors reach combat The risks are no longer purely theoretical.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of theoretical

Adjective

The two sides will further explore potential opportunities for research, testing, demonstration, and commercial deployment of the technology.

— Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 25 Aug. 2026
In March, the US listed the measure as a potential trade barrier in its trade estimate report.

— Lex Harvey, CNN Money, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of potential

Adjective

Attorneys for State Farm apologized to a court for submitting legal briefings rife with artificial intelligence hallucinations and nonexistent case law, the latest example of lawyers bolstering their arguments with precedents made up by a chatbot.

— Rebecca Ellis, Los Angeles Times, 19 Aug. 2026
And cases of enforcement against districts for starting early are rare to nonexistent.

— Zaire Breedlove, Charlotte Observer, 16 Aug. 2026

Definition of nonexistent

Adjective

Choose one repeatable step, book it into your calendar, and let consistency make the plan more possible.

— Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 24 Aug. 2026
Lawmakers in Canada, in an effort to be diplomatic, had rescinded that Online Streaming Act to get more favorable terms on a possible cross-border trade and tariffs deal.

— Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of possible

Adjective

Hafley acknowledged Miller and Gronowski were put in less than ideal situations Saturday against the Giants but said the entire passing game operation must be better.

— Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 23 Aug. 2026
As American record companies had long understood, these made London an ideal launchpad for pop-culture trends.

— The Week UK, TheWeek, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of ideal

Adjective

This alleged decision came after his agent Jorge Mendes met with Sporting Director on Thursday, and head coach Hansi Flick made comments at a prematch press conference which seemed to question the left back’s commitment.

— Tom Sanderson, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026
Trump, meanwhile, has suggested that alleged election integrity problems will be the culprit if Republicans lose.

— Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of alleged

Browse Nearby Words

platitudinous

platonic

platoon

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Platonic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/platonic. Accessed 27 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of platonic

adjective

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Why We Keep Things 'Platonic'

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

southpaw

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

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

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

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Commonly Misspelled Words

Popular in Wordplay

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Words of the Week - Aug. 28

Why do we say 'break a leg'?

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Games & Quizzes

Synonyms of platonic

adjective

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Articles Related to platonic

Why We Keep Things 'Platonic'

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

southpaw

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

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

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

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Commonly Misspelled Words

Popular in Wordplay

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Words of the Week - Aug. 28

Why do we say 'break a leg'?

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Games & Quizzes