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 The specificity is what makes this kind of framework usable rather than theoretical. — Kwame Christian Esq, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026 Kübler-Ross’s stages of grief form the theoretical framework of your book. — Tim Brinkhof, JSTOR Daily, 8 July 2026 Once this modification was included, the theoretical predictions closely matched the experimental data, providing a practical framework for estimating exciton binding energy from the dielectric environment. — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 5 July 2026 There is a theoretical upper limit to the wet bulb temperature for human survivability, which has been pegged at about 95 degrees. — Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 3 July 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
  • These are not futuristic use cases with hypothetical applications.
    — Darren Tan, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026
  • Another Noble Predictive Insights survey released in May showed Biggs losing to Hobbs in a hypothetical general election by four percentage points.
    — Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 19 July 2026
Definition of hypothetical
Adjective
  • Varsha’s mysterious memories are apparently linked to a much larger set of crises, and in order to make sense of these connections, both Dinu and Ghosh will have to dispense with the material and tread into the metaphysical.
    — Robert Rubsam, The Atlantic, 20 July 2026
  • For me, the metaphysical questions always come first, and the story emerges organically from the questions.
    — Deborah Treisman, New Yorker, 19 July 2026
Definition of metaphysical
Adjective
  • During the pandemic boom, cheap money, soaring asset prices, and speculative demand encouraged galleries to expand rapidly—adding artists, opening new locations and building ever larger organizations.
    — Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 17 July 2026
  • The role of commercial satellites in warfare has sparked speculative discussions on their legitimacy as military targets, and what the Pentagon’s role should be in defending them.
    — Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 16 July 2026
Definition of speculative
Adjective
  • Amy Oppenheim also talked about the enjoyable process of working with the museum on a show by her husband, Dennis Oppenheim, the conceptual and land artist who passed away in 2011.
    — Vanessa Grigoriadis, Vanity Fair, 21 July 2026
  • Lange and Reyna used the time apart as a wide-open creative space, not so much focused on any specific conceptual or a philosophical (or even emotional) basis for the record, but on a feeling of soft moodiness.
    — E.R. Pulgar, Pitchfork, 20 July 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
  • Scientists had long understood the mechanism of climate change, but what was once an abstract concept on a graph is now a palpable experience.
    — Adam Frank, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026
  • The Jean Paul Gaultier collection by Duran Lantink focused on bold and abstract silhouettes.
    — Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 17 July 2026
Definition of abstract
Adjective
  • One way to begin is with the mental and physical reset provided by the Crossings Ceremony, the most recent addition to Miraval Austin’s Life in Balance Spa offerings.
    — Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 16 July 2026
  • Together these results helped establish the concept of cognitive reserve, the idea that lifelong mental activity may protect thinking and memory even when disease is present in the brain.
    — Samantha Agate, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 July 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 22 Jul. 2026.

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