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
Merrillville officials hope a letter denying the existence of a Department of Homeland Security contract on a warehouse in town will calm residents’ nerves about a theoretical immigrant detention center.
—
Michelle L. Quinn, Chicago Tribune, 12 Feb. 2026
These are not theoretical concerns.
—Waleed Albakry, Hartford Courant, 11 Feb. 2026
At this point, everything is still theoretical, from the Zero blockchain itself to how the NYSE integrates decentralization into its core infrastructure.
—Leo Schwartz, Fortune, 10 Feb. 2026
Now, with new funding secured, the Horizon Evo has been made public, marking the point where Natilus transitions from theoretical concepts toward creating a commercially viable airframe.
—David Szondy
february 10, New Atlas, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for theoretical
Michelle L. Quinn, Chicago Tribune, 12 Feb. 2026
These are not theoretical concerns.
—Waleed Albakry, Hartford Courant, 11 Feb. 2026
At this point, everything is still theoretical, from the Zero blockchain itself to how the NYSE integrates decentralization into its core infrastructure.
—Leo Schwartz, Fortune, 10 Feb. 2026
Now, with new funding secured, the Horizon Evo has been made public, marking the point where Natilus transitions from theoretical concepts toward creating a commercially viable airframe.
—David Szondy
february 10, New Atlas, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for theoretical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for theoretical
Adjective
-
This isn’t a distant hypothetical.—
Suzette Valladares,
Oc Register,
15 Feb. 2026
-
Responsibility is a group effort For Ahmet Öksüz, chairman of the Istanbul Textile and Raw Materials Exporters Association, the need for systemic transformation is no longer some future-facing hypothetical, but rather an existential imperative that demands both innovation and conscience.—
Jasmin Malik Chua,
Sourcing Journal,
13 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Under this clash of Venus and Uranus, a blind spot could impact your literal plans or more metaphysical beliefs.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
8 Feb. 2026
-
Suffice to say that Zi’s condition may not be a physical issue or even a mental one but, rather, a metaphysical state.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
4 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
To my eye, Zurek has almost tied up the loose ends that have been confounding physics for 100 years, without invoking any substantially new or speculative assumptions.—
Quanta Magazine,
Quanta Magazine,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Deutsche Bank’s Reid noted that much of the selling driven by these anecdotes was purely speculative.—
Jim Edwards,
Fortune,
13 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Series kicked off in the late 1990s, starting with Leaves, which included Calamus, Lily, Tea, Mint and Shiso, to give the conceptual idea of various leaves.—
Jennifer Weil,
Footwear News,
16 Feb. 2026
-
Gartside tended to lead with the deconstructionist angle on his writing, and most critics seemed to take it as a given that all the lovey-dovey stuff was conceptual cleverness, a way of infiltrating pop and turning its lingua franca in on itself.—
Andy Cush,
Pitchfork,
15 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Projections of economic gains from major sporting events are typically optimistic, euphoric, chimerical or conjectural.—
Michael Hiltzik,
Los Angeles Times,
19 June 2025
-
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
-
The discussion about administrative and judicial warrants is not an abstract debate.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
16 Feb. 2026
-
For Black Americans, this is not an abstract question.—
Ed Gaskin,
Boston Herald,
15 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Matcha delivers a steady boost of energy and improves mental focus through a combination of caffeine and the amino acid L-theanine.—
Lindsay Curtis,
Health,
16 Feb. 2026
-
From mental aspects to the game, to the development on the younger stages, everyone has a theory, but no real solution.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
16 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Theoretical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/theoretical. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.
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