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theoretical

adjective

ˌthē-ə-ˈre-ti-kəl How to pronounce theoretical (audio)
variants also theoretic
Definition of theoreticalnext
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

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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

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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 For readers who understood music better than theoretical physics, Sessions simplified Einstein’s thinking without oversimplifying it. — Liz Guthridge, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2026 Swanberg is focussed on his theoretical vision of modern romance—and forgive me for not spoiling it, but the ironies are whiplash-keen and psychologically audacious. — Richard Brody, New Yorker, 9 Sep. 2026 OpenAI cofounder Greg Brockman called it the beginning of artificial general intelligence, a still-theoretical form of AI designed to perform a range of intellectual tasks at or beyond a human level. — Nicholas Gordon, Fortune, 4 Sep. 2026 Alongside the latest projections, the agency released a database that categorized occupations based on their theoretical and observed exposure to AI. — Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 3 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for theoretical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for theoretical
  1. hypothetical
  2. metaphysical
  3. speculative
  4. conceptual
  5. conjectural
  6. abstract
  7. mental
Adjective
  • That game is too important, and holding someone back for a hypothetical Game 3 might be foolish regardless.
    — Matt Gelb, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
  • In a hypothetical matchup against Moody, the poll showed Nixon would perform a bit better than Vindman, but would still lose by 50% to 42%.
    — Steve Bousquet, Sun Sentinel, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of hypothetical
Adjective
  • For decades, metaphysical stores and botanicas have sold religious items and offered spiritual cleansings and readings in spite of stigmatization and gentrification.
    — Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Eddy has been spared the worst violence; the novel casts his racial privilege as a kind of metaphysical exemption.
    — Katy Waldman, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of metaphysical
Adjective
  • Based on statements from various companies, foreign countries and the White House’s own website, that figure appears to be highly speculative and far higher than the actual sum.
    — Melissa Goldin, Chicago Tribune, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Binge is author of speculative thrillers that often blends big sci-fi concepts with psychological horror.
    — Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of speculative
Adjective
  • Even a slender 71 minutes is a long time to stay in such a narrow comic lane, but the laughs arrive continuously until the end and the larger conceptual framework is airtight.
    — Vadim Rizov, IndieWire, 14 Sep. 2026
  • Leaning into the songwriter thing was almost like a conceptual exercise.
    — Jonathan Bernstein, Rolling Stone, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of conceptual
Adjective
  • The first two questions are too hypothetical and conjectural.
    — Baltimore Sun staff, Baltimore Sun, 20 May 2026
  • Projections of economic gains from major sporting events are typically optimistic, euphoric, chimerical or conjectural.
    — Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2025
Definition of conjectural
Adjective
  • Some of our friends, who’d assumed that abstract art was all that any longer really mattered, were wondering if Jack’s nudes were radical or retro or if retro was the new radical.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 Sep. 2026
  • But these domestic frictions are — largely, but not merely — a means to an end so far as Wollner is concerned, as her film leverages them to focus on a series of increasingly abstract phenomena.
    — David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of abstract
Adjective
  • The opposing forces of stigma and access Stigma has been a long-standing barrier in seeking mental healthcare.
    — Andrew McLean, The Conversation, 10 Sep. 2026
  • From suicides to sextortion, parents and their children are wrestling with how social media and AI chatbots could be harming people’s mental and physical health.
    — Queenie Wong, Los Angeles Times, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of mental

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theorems
theoretical
theories
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Cite this Entry

“Theoretical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/theoretical. Accessed 17 Sep. 2026.

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