theoretical
adjective
the·o·ret·i·cal
ˌthē-ə-ˈre-ti-kəl 
ˌthir-ˈe-ti-kəl
variants
or less commonly theoretic
ˌthē-ə-ˈre-tik
ˌthir-ˈe-tik
1
: existing only in theory : hypothetical
gave as an example a theoretical situation
2
a
: relating to or having the character of theory : abstract
b
: confined to theory or speculation often in contrast to practical applications : speculative
theoretical physics
3
: given to or skilled in theorizing
a brilliant theoretical physicist
Synonyms
Examples of theoretical in a Sentence
On a theoretical level, hiring more people seems logical.
The idea is purely theoretical at this point.
The danger is more than just a theoretical possibility.
Recent Examples on the Web
The newspaper was referring to Planet Nine, a theoretical planet at the edge of the solar system.
—
Ailsa Harvey, Space.com, 17 Jan. 2025
Martin Karplus, a Nobel Prize-winning theoretical chemist who used computers to model how complex systems change during chemical reactions, died last month at 94.
—Natasha Frost, New York Times, 16 Jan. 2025
For Phillips, who grew up in a low-income household on Alabama’s Gulf Coast, that struggle isn’t theoretical.
—Essence, 13 Jan. 2025
It’s been theoretical with each step mapped out from fuzzy visions in organizers’ heads.
—Bryce Miller, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for theoretical 
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Ailsa Harvey, Space.com, 17 Jan. 2025
Martin Karplus, a Nobel Prize-winning theoretical chemist who used computers to model how complex systems change during chemical reactions, died last month at 94.
—Natasha Frost, New York Times, 16 Jan. 2025
For Phillips, who grew up in a low-income household on Alabama’s Gulf Coast, that struggle isn’t theoretical.
—Essence, 13 Jan. 2025
It’s been theoretical with each step mapped out from fuzzy visions in organizers’ heads.
—Bryce Miller, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for theoretical
Dictionary Entries Near theoretical
Cite this Entry
“Theoretical.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/theoretical. Accessed 1 Feb. 2025.
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theoretical
adjective
the·o·ret·i·cal
ˌthē-ə-ˈret-i-kəl
ˌthi(-ə)r-ˈet-
variants
also theoretic
1
a
: relating to or having the character of theory : abstract
b
: limited to theory or speculation : speculative
theoretical physics
2
: existing only in theory : hypothetical
a theoretical situation
theoretically
adverb
-i-k(ə-)lē
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