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
In the spring, the organization’s Standard Development Unit developed the training curriculum, with an emphasis on the practical applications of auditing for GOTS auditors, rather than theoretical concepts, the report explained.
—
Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 29 Apr. 2026
To turn that around, Oracle has to build data centers, fast, to turn its theoretical future revenue into actual money.
—Elizabeth Lopatto, The Verge, 29 Apr. 2026
For four of these systems, the observations were sensitive enough to allow the astronomers to measure the masses of the component stars from first principles, independent of any guidance from theoretical models.
—Keith Cooper, Space.com, 28 Apr. 2026
This time, the restraint feels less theoretical.
—The Ai Insider, Interesting Engineering, 27 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for theoretical
Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 29 Apr. 2026
To turn that around, Oracle has to build data centers, fast, to turn its theoretical future revenue into actual money.
—Elizabeth Lopatto, The Verge, 29 Apr. 2026
For four of these systems, the observations were sensitive enough to allow the astronomers to measure the masses of the component stars from first principles, independent of any guidance from theoretical models.
—Keith Cooper, Space.com, 28 Apr. 2026
This time, the restraint feels less theoretical.
—The Ai Insider, Interesting Engineering, 27 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for theoretical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for theoretical
Adjective
-
Eventually, Patterson acknowledged that this hypothetical real man was just a description of himself.—
Bethy Squires,
Vulture,
3 May 2026
-
More than a few of the teams included in that hypothetical opening round are from conferences whose champions have pulled off NCAA Tournament upsets in recent years.—
Ralph D. Russo,
New York Times,
30 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Glenn Turner, the former owner of a pagan and metaphysical shop, is running as a member of the Green Party.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
1 May 2026
-
Matarrese delves into the history underlying these two women’s longstanding feud and arrives at a tragicomic, inventive meditation on the metaphysical possibility of reconciliation and forgiveness.—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
29 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
But as the novel slips into a more speculative mode, Nora is transported to an asylum in the French countryside of 1946.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
1 May 2026
-
Six months ago, people arguing that AI was a bubble were pointing to real-world facts, whereas people arguing against the bubble hypothesis were making speculative promises about the future.—
Rogé Karma,
The Atlantic,
1 May 2026
Adjective
-
In a world where young athletes can earn significant compensation through NIL and revenue share, the NCAA faced conceptual hurdles trying to defend prize money rules.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
4 May 2026
-
In this conceptual system, there is also an equivalence between the duties of various tribes—defense, sustenance, healing—and the overall balance of nature, in which each animal plays its part.—
Glenn Adamson,
Artforum,
2 May 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
-
His prose is equally forbidding—dense and abstract, in the long tradition of German philosophy.—
Adam Kirsch,
The Atlantic,
3 May 2026
-
The consequences are not abstract.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
3 May 2026
Adjective
-
With a commitment to clinical excellence and individualized treatment, Diamond Recovery Group helps thousands of individuals each year achieve lasting recovery and improved mental well being.—
Ascend Agency,
Sun Sentinel,
4 May 2026
-
That committee is also set to hear House Bill 1195, which would prevent psychologists, counselors, social workers, therapists and others from using AI to provide direct therapy to clients, to make treatment plans, or to detect emotional or mental states.—
Nick Coltrain,
Denver Post,
4 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Theoretical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/theoretical. Accessed 6 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
