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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of theoretical
Natarajan, whose research focuses on cosmology, gravitational lensing and black hole physics, traced how decades of theoretical work on black holes have transformed scientists' understanding of the universe and quietly underpin everyday technologies.
—
Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Not in the traditional sense of making file sizes smaller but in a deeper information theoretic sense.
—Amir Husain, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Now that threat feels far less theoretical in Fulton County.
—Greg Bluestein, AJC.com, 29 Jan. 2026
This is the year relationships and commitments stop being theoretical and start demanding structure and honesty.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 28 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for theoretical
Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Not in the traditional sense of making file sizes smaller but in a deeper information theoretic sense.
—Amir Husain, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Now that threat feels far less theoretical in Fulton County.
—Greg Bluestein, AJC.com, 29 Jan. 2026
This is the year relationships and commitments stop being theoretical and start demanding structure and honesty.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 28 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for theoretical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for theoretical
Adjective
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King’s perspective is not just hypothetical.—
Rafael Olmeda,
Sun Sentinel,
1 Feb. 2026
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The association also argued that calculating risk based on hypothetical annual consumption levels could create unnecessary alarm and confusion.—
Deirdre Bardolf,
FOXNews.com,
31 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Breaking down such a layered metaphysical concept with the relatively few words left in this review would be a fool’s errand, but suffice it to say that all of the math miraculously checks out.—
Christian Zilko,
IndieWire,
26 Jan. 2026
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The Jupe bros – Jacobi and big brother Noah (as the stage Hamlet), who are both going places – playing characters that reflect each other in a metaphysical way.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
22 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Golf’s resurgence isn’t being carried by a single superstar or a speculative building boom.—
Steve Skinner,
Sportico.com,
31 Jan. 2026
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For institutions and individuals to look to crypto as anything more than a speculative asset, the technology must have legitimate use cases and outperform existing solutions.—
Matthew Kayser,
Freep.com,
30 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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The conceptual genius has found a way to turn Los Angeles into a movie character too!—
Christian Zilko,
IndieWire,
26 Jan. 2026
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Dedar Milano’s Abstract Newness Dedar Milano’s 2026 collection of fabrics embraced pure abstraction and fresh conceptual ideas.—
Sofia Celeste,
Footwear News,
22 Jan. 2026
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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Book covers can be literal, abstract, symbolic, atmospheric, and on and on.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
2 Feb. 2026
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Renee Good and Alex Pretti remind us that constitutional law is not abstract theory, or a moment in American history.—
Larry Pino,
The Orlando Sentinel,
1 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Does the client have a specific mental disorder?—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
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The feeling was unfamiliar, since my usual mental coordinates place me somewhere in the proximate future, a locus of anticipation and, all too often, unfocused worry.—
Michael Pollan,
The Atlantic,
26 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Theoretical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/theoretical. Accessed 6 Feb. 2026.
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