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
Relevance
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
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 theoretical
Now, new theoretical work by Hayato Motohashi, an astrophysicist at the University of Tokyo Metropolitan University in Japan, builds on the 30-year mystery.
—
Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 30 Apr. 2025
In the spring of 1943, Hans Bethe, a theoretical physicist and professor at Cornell University, left Ithaca, New York, for a classified government site in Los Alamos, New Mexico.
—Sarah Kreps, Foreign Affairs, 29 Apr. 2025
Taro Matsuo Additionally, researchers’ theoretical models suggest that Earth’s oceans can take on entirely different hues under varied environmental conditions.
—New Atlas, 27 Apr. 2025
Indeed, the risk of diversion from Plaintiff's sales is more than theoretical—the government can prove that Plaintiff actually sold LSD to a minor as well as an undercover officer.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for theoretical
Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 30 Apr. 2025
In the spring of 1943, Hans Bethe, a theoretical physicist and professor at Cornell University, left Ithaca, New York, for a classified government site in Los Alamos, New Mexico.
—Sarah Kreps, Foreign Affairs, 29 Apr. 2025
Taro Matsuo Additionally, researchers’ theoretical models suggest that Earth’s oceans can take on entirely different hues under varied environmental conditions.
—New Atlas, 27 Apr. 2025
Indeed, the risk of diversion from Plaintiff's sales is more than theoretical—the government can prove that Plaintiff actually sold LSD to a minor as well as an undercover officer.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for theoretical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for theoretical
Adjective
-
The vice president also pitched a hypothetical scenario in which the U.S. went to war with a foreign adversary and whether parents would like the peace of mind that the weapons used by U.S. soldiers are made within the U.S. rather than another country.—
Asher Notheis,
The Washington Examiner,
8 May 2025
-
Despite challenges like legacy data integration and security, digital twins promise significant operational advantages by making hypothetical scenarios feel immediate and actionable.—
Murugan Lakshmanan,
Forbes.com,
8 May 2025
Adjective
-
Photo: Alfama Films No one writes dialogue like Cronenberg — perplexing alien dialogue, a sci-fi tongue of oddball terminology and metaphysical shop talk.—
A.A. Dowd,
Vulture,
28 Apr. 2025
-
Owning pets is also a metaphysical threat to the fabric of reality, even for straights.—
Samantha Riedel,
Them.,
21 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Biden's attorney jumped in to clarify that Hur's team had asked a speculative question that did not reflect Biden's initial answer.—
Sarah D. Wire,
USA Today,
18 May 2025
-
Any financial instruments mentioned herein are speculative in nature and may involve risk to principal and interest.—
Katie Stockton,
CNBC,
12 May 2025
Adjective
-
Solomon bravely represented conceptual artists such as Paik and Gordon Matta-Clark, and artists from the Arte Povera, and the Pattern and Decoration movements.—
Tom Teicholz,
Forbes.com,
7 May 2025
-
Surreal, beautiful, and then truly shocking, this is a classic conceptual A24 horror, with all the hallucinatory imagery, and head-spinning, hairpin bends that entails.—
Radhika Seth,
Vogue,
7 May 2025
Adjective
-
But the possible consequences of an Iranian nuclear capability are largely conjectural (save for one: nobody would think of invading Iran anymore).—
Barry R. Posen,
Foreign Affairs,
7 Sep. 2010
-
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
-
Wingard’s sequel is a bit more abstract than its predecessor, focusing too much on strange world-building and too little on the battle between our two beloved heavies.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
8 May 2025
-
The channel features an abstract logo with Letterman’s signature beard and glasses.—
Dade Hayes,
Deadline,
6 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Theoretical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/theoretical. Accessed 20 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share