in theory
idiom
1
—used to say what should happen or be true if a theory is correct
In theory, the reading skills of the students should improve.
2
—used to say that something seems to be true or possible as an idea but may not actually be true or possible
I agree with you in theory, but realistically I don't think we have the time to do that.
Examples of in theory in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
So white-collar workers could, in theory, be superpowered by AI.
—
Will Knight, WIRED, 11 Apr. 2024
Screenshot: David Pierce / The Verge Like any AI product right now, this is sometimes cooler in theory than in reality.
—David Pierce, The Verge, 9 Apr. 2024
Higher wages in theory also means that businesses are going to have a higher bar for their workers.
—Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 6 Apr. 2024
Lupus, like certain types of blood cancers, is caused by faulty B cells, so in theory, engineering T cells to identify and remove faulty B cells could potentially provide patients with a functional cure.
—Meghana Keshavan, STAT, 5 Apr. 2024
That could, in theory, open the door to a lunar rapprochement between Washington and Beijing, though likely not until economic and military tensions between the two global giants cool.
—Jeffrey Kluger, TIME, 1 Apr. 2024
While in theory, fewer inmates mean the state should be spending less, the department has accrued significant costs due to raises to correctional officers’ salaries and pensions and in part due to COVID-19.
—Anabel Sosa, Los Angeles Times, 1 Apr. 2024
In recent years, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has overseen a massive buildup in Pyongyang’s ballistic missile program, with dozens of tests in a year, including long-range intercontinental ballistic missiles that could in theory reach the United States mainland.
—Richard Roth, CNN, 29 Mar. 2024
The maritime aid delivery route, while in theory more efficient, faces its own logistical and cost issues.
—Manuel Canales, Washington Post, 28 Mar. 2024
Will Knight, WIRED, 11 Apr. 2024
Screenshot: David Pierce / The Verge Like any AI product right now, this is sometimes cooler in theory than in reality.
—David Pierce, The Verge, 9 Apr. 2024
Higher wages in theory also means that businesses are going to have a higher bar for their workers.
—Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 6 Apr. 2024
Lupus, like certain types of blood cancers, is caused by faulty B cells, so in theory, engineering T cells to identify and remove faulty B cells could potentially provide patients with a functional cure.
—Meghana Keshavan, STAT, 5 Apr. 2024
That could, in theory, open the door to a lunar rapprochement between Washington and Beijing, though likely not until economic and military tensions between the two global giants cool.
—Jeffrey Kluger, TIME, 1 Apr. 2024
While in theory, fewer inmates mean the state should be spending less, the department has accrued significant costs due to raises to correctional officers’ salaries and pensions and in part due to COVID-19.
—Anabel Sosa, Los Angeles Times, 1 Apr. 2024
In recent years, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has overseen a massive buildup in Pyongyang’s ballistic missile program, with dozens of tests in a year, including long-range intercontinental ballistic missiles that could in theory reach the United States mainland.
—Richard Roth, CNN, 29 Mar. 2024
The maritime aid delivery route, while in theory more efficient, faces its own logistical and cost issues.
—Manuel Canales, Washington Post, 28 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'in theory.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near in theory
Cite this Entry
“In theory.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/in%20theory. Accessed 25 Apr. 2024.
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