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
New York can and should keep adding more housing, but any theoretical ratcheting down of prices, provided the city remains safe and continues to offer parents good schooling options for their kids, would unleash new demand.
—
Nicole Gelinas, Washington Post, 5 Jan. 2026
Helping disabled people regain autonomy, building a device for consumers to play video games, or mitigating the singularity, a theoretical future in which artificial intelligence has surpassed human intelligence?
—Theresa Gaffney, STAT, 5 Jan. 2026
Perhaps China’s aggressive state spending, open-source AI coding, and interest in ordinary use cases for the technology will ultimately give the country an edge over American firms that are expensively chasing revolutionary applications for a more theoretical product.
—Michael Schuman, The Atlantic, 3 Jan. 2026
And that one isn’t theoretical.
—Dianna Russini, New York Times, 3 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for theoretical
Nicole Gelinas, Washington Post, 5 Jan. 2026
Helping disabled people regain autonomy, building a device for consumers to play video games, or mitigating the singularity, a theoretical future in which artificial intelligence has surpassed human intelligence?
—Theresa Gaffney, STAT, 5 Jan. 2026
Perhaps China’s aggressive state spending, open-source AI coding, and interest in ordinary use cases for the technology will ultimately give the country an edge over American firms that are expensively chasing revolutionary applications for a more theoretical product.
—Michael Schuman, The Atlantic, 3 Jan. 2026
And that one isn’t theoretical.
—Dianna Russini, New York Times, 3 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for theoretical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for theoretical
Adjective
-
But that hypothetical reality is likely months away, at best.—
Claire Heddles,
Miami Herald,
5 Jan. 2026
-
In a hypothetical world where college athletes are unionized employees, the athletes’ union might negotiate better terms for some athletes—but that’s not reality and won’t be a reason for the Ninth Circuit to reverse Wilken.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
5 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Beverly, a waitress who had another daughter and then a son in the two years after Smith was born (and eventually one more daughter), had little time for her eldest’s metaphysical ponderings.—
Amy Weiss-Meyer,
The Atlantic,
31 Oct. 2025
-
The film follows a young couple (Qualley and Starkey), who inherit a farm in rural Arkansas and must conquer the demons, both physical and metaphysical, that haunt its legacy.—
Justin Kroll,
Deadline,
31 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Forecasting revenues over a 99-year period stretches credibility, as economic models typically lose reliability within five years, making century-long projections speculative at best.—
Michelle Grau,
Sun Sentinel,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Government lawyers urged the court to dismiss the case, arguing no specific plaintiff has faced deportation or visa revocation and that any harm is speculative.—
Ryan Macasero,
Mercury News,
6 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Christo and Jeanne-Claude were successful, acknowledged, and respected conceptual artists.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Nov. 2025
-
That’s when math gets harder and more conceptual.—
Lauren Brown West-Rosenthal,
Parents,
5 Nov. 2025
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 frozen water also created a layer of ice on the floor, as well as an abstract-looking sculpture reaching up towards the ceiling.—
Natalia Senanayake,
PEOPLE,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Hejduk said that while artists’ abstract designs should be inspired by nature, there’s a lot of leeway .—
Beth Lipoff,
Kansas City Star,
9 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Reconcept uses music paired with specific frequencies tailored to different physical and mental needs.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Rusty recognized the severity of the situation and admitted her to a mental hospital.—
Samantha Stutsman,
PEOPLE,
9 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Theoretical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/theoretical. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share