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
My background sets me apart, not just from my opponents, but from many lawyers, because my understanding of people and their struggles isn’t theoretical, it’s lived.
—
Dallas Morning News, 3 Feb. 2026
Lawrence Krauss, a theoretical physicist and cosmologist, received $250,000 from Epstein’s foundation for his science-communication group.
—Tom Bartlett, The Atlantic, 3 Feb. 2026
Eighteen years later, supersymmetry remains in the theoretical realm.
—IEEE Spectrum, 3 Feb. 2026
Things that aren’t theoretical or abstract but materially affect their daily lives, like the costs of electricity, car insurance and groceries.
—Los Angeles Times, 1 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for theoretical
Dallas Morning News, 3 Feb. 2026
Lawrence Krauss, a theoretical physicist and cosmologist, received $250,000 from Epstein’s foundation for his science-communication group.
—Tom Bartlett, The Atlantic, 3 Feb. 2026
Eighteen years later, supersymmetry remains in the theoretical realm.
—IEEE Spectrum, 3 Feb. 2026
Things that aren’t theoretical or abstract but materially affect their daily lives, like the costs of electricity, car insurance and groceries.
—Los Angeles Times, 1 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for theoretical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for theoretical
Adjective
-
This concern is not hypothetical.—
Bhupinder Kaur,
The Orlando Sentinel,
7 Feb. 2026
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To define the contours of a market, the courts rely on a hypothetical monopolist test.—
Hal Singer,
Fortune,
7 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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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
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Breaking down such a layered metaphysical concept with the relatively few words left in this review would be a fool’s errand, but suffice it to say that all of the math miraculously checks out.—
Christian Zilko,
IndieWire,
26 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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The crypto industry, for example, entered 2022 brimming with hope, as the pandemic helped spark a surge in trading from people stuck at home, leading to a frenzy that boosted all kinds of speculative investments, from cryptocurrencies to digital tokens called NFTs.—
Rafael Nam,
NPR,
7 Feb. 2026
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The latter aims to ban speculative ticket sales (tickets that resellers don’t yet possess) in the state.—
Cerys Davies,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Diesel asks at the top of the spot (below), which shows footage of riders speeding through a conceptual rendering of the coaster — featuring vehicles that rotate along a course that also includes three inversions.—
Joey Nolfi,
Entertainment Weekly,
8 Feb. 2026
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My ultimate goal is to combine this conceptual part with products and do more artwork that inspires more people.—
Lisa Lockwood,
Footwear News,
6 Feb. 2026
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
-
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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My empathy for immigrants and refugees is not abstract.—
Valeng Cha,
Twin Cities,
8 Feb. 2026
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In the 9th District, those debates are no longer abstract.—
Olivia Olander,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Skating is an achievement fueled by immense physical and mental stressors, financial sacrifice, and restrictive expectations that can wear on competitors for decades.—
Jasmine Wynn,
Time,
9 Feb. 2026
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The competitive stamina, the physical stamina, and the mental stamina that's required in these type of games.—
Matt Schooley,
CBS News,
9 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Theoretical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/theoretical. Accessed 10 Feb. 2026.
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