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
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Recent Examples of theoretical
An option for Dallas to explore exists within the NFC East division, as former first-round pick Kayvon Thibodeaux has been among the top theoretical trade candidates across the league since the season began.
—
Max Dible, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 2025
This isn't just a theoretical problem.
—New Atlas, 13 Oct. 2025
Shoehorning in minutes for other quality forwards Naji Marshall, Caleb Martin and Klay Thompson (a theoretical shooting guard, but one whose coaches are terrified to have guard opposing wings) only gets more difficult.
—John Hollinger, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025
The paper was, and still is, largely theoretical, since quantum computing hasn’t yet seen wide commercial deployment.
—Vivienne Walt, Fortune, 9 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for theoretical
Max Dible, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 2025
This isn't just a theoretical problem.
—New Atlas, 13 Oct. 2025
Shoehorning in minutes for other quality forwards Naji Marshall, Caleb Martin and Klay Thompson (a theoretical shooting guard, but one whose coaches are terrified to have guard opposing wings) only gets more difficult.
—John Hollinger, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025
The paper was, and still is, largely theoretical, since quantum computing hasn’t yet seen wide commercial deployment.
—Vivienne Walt, Fortune, 9 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for theoretical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for theoretical
Adjective
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The scientists behind the project hope those crystals will interact with the hypothetical dark matter particles known as WIMPs.—
Chris Young,
Interesting Engineering,
13 Oct. 2025
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Ultimately, Bayless is going off of a hypothetical scenario that cannot be proven or disproven.—
MSNBC Newsweek,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Her poetry carries it all—the metaphysical, the flirtatious, the unsettling, the provocative— all in such miniscule space.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
17 Oct. 2025
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Yoga and sound baths set the tone, but the property also offers a roster of metaphysical experiences for those curious for something more.—
Susmita Baral,
Travel + Leisure,
14 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The day seems to be controlled by a collapse in crypto and more speculative names.—
Jim Cramer,
CNBC,
14 Oct. 2025
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These concerns stem from high levels of speculative investment—totaling hundreds of billions of dollars—in artificial intelligence with few manifest payoffs, as well as the market’s top-heavy structure, with significant value concentrated in a handful of AI-bullish tech stocks.—
Hugh Cameron,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Huang Yong Ping, the founder of the movement, along with major conceptual artists such as Geng Jianyi, Yin Xiuzhen and Shi Yong, all fell under the spell of Fluxus and carved out a unique position for the cohort within the international avant-garde.—
Denni Hu,
Footwear News,
10 Oct. 2025
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Mothersbaugh, a conceptual artist and composer, co-founded the rock group DEVO and has scored 150 films, television shows, video games and hundreds of commercials through his multimedia company, Mutato Muzika.—
Kimberly Nordyke,
HollywoodReporter,
9 Oct. 2025
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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Now, the company has launched Wings—a collection of mostly fine jewelry that’s less literal and more abstract.—
Paige Reddinger,
Robb Report,
15 Oct. 2025
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One look was a pair of loose-fitting ivory denim jeans with double zippers in front and an abstract expressionist design splattered all over.—
Footwear News,
Footwear News,
15 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Theoretical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/theoretical. Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.
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