Synonyms of theoretical

theoretical

adjective

ˌthē-ə-ˈre-ti-kəl 

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

• hypothetical
• speculative
• conjectural
• academical
• academic
• conceptual
• abstract
• suppositional
• intellectual
• metaphysical
• alleged
• proposed
• unproven
• unproved
• presumed
• debatable
• moot
• assumed
• supposed
• untested
• presupposed
• nonclinical
• nonempirical
• nonpractical

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• actual
• real
• practical
• factual
• clinical
• concrete
• definite
• distinct
• defined
• empirical
• demonstrated
• confirmed
• observational
• empiric
• established
• tested
• proven
• validated
• substantiated
• attested
• verified
• authenticated
• time-tested
• nontheoretical
• nonspeculative

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

• metaphysical
• conceptual
• hypothetical
• speculative
• abstract
• intellectual
• mental
• spiritual
• ideal
• notional
• ideational
• romantic
• cosmic
• conjectural
• transcendental
• cosmical
• immaterial
• intangible
• invisible
• utopian
• impractical
• insubstantial
• imperceptible
• nonphysical
• ethereal
• nonmaterial
• incorporeal
• transcendent
• unreal
• visionary
• unsubstantial
• impalpable
• insensible

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• concrete
• physical
• substantial
• tangible
• material
• actual
• appreciable
• observable
• visible
• sensible
• real
• discernible
• noticeable
• perceptible
• definite
• detectable
• distinct
• nonabstract
• factual
• palpable
• defined
• discernable

Examples of theoretical in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

True success would mean at some point the contents of those vials could essentially be flushed down the toilet – because bird flu no longer poses a theoretical threat to human health. —Eduardo Cuevas, USA TODAY, 12 Aug. 2024

Seeing the alerts work in real life and not just as a theoretical exercise has been exciting, said Lazo, of L.A.’s Emergency Management Department. —Rong-Gong Lin Ii, Los Angeles Times, 9 Aug. 2024

There are a handful of theoretical options—breach of contract, negligence, or fraud—but none of them are straightforward. —Joel Khalili, WIRED, 7 Aug. 2024

Rising prices and rates mean a house hunter’s theoretical mortgage payment rose 10% in a year – and is up a ridiculous 108% compared with the 2018-19 span. —Jonathan Lansner, Orange County Register, 25 July 2024