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
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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
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Recent Examples of theoretical
Additionally, teens can study the theoretical elements of music including sound, pitch, rhythm, melody, harmony, and notation.
—
Hannah Nwoko, Parents, 21 Feb. 2025
The theoretical alliance would overcome power imbalance dynamics and help foster communication as an industry for regulation.
—Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 6 Feb. 2025
This theoretical scenario doesn’t map perfectly onto Trump’s new China tariffs.
—Dylan Scott, Vox, 5 Feb. 2025
This type of cosmic phenomenon is named after the famous theoretical physicist Albert Einstein, whose theory of general relativity proposed that objects with mass distort the fabric of spacetime—making such 'gravitational lensing' effects possible.
—Justin Gest, Newsweek, 11 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for theoretical
Hannah Nwoko, Parents, 21 Feb. 2025
The theoretical alliance would overcome power imbalance dynamics and help foster communication as an industry for regulation.
—Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 6 Feb. 2025
This theoretical scenario doesn’t map perfectly onto Trump’s new China tariffs.
—Dylan Scott, Vox, 5 Feb. 2025
This type of cosmic phenomenon is named after the famous theoretical physicist Albert Einstein, whose theory of general relativity proposed that objects with mass distort the fabric of spacetime—making such 'gravitational lensing' effects possible.
—Justin Gest, Newsweek, 11 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for theoretical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for theoretical
Adjective
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The study found that a hypothetical investor with even the worst market timing crushed the returns of one who stayed in cash between 2003 and 2022.—
Dev Patnaik,
Forbes,
23 Feb. 2025
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No more debating whether a spot should go to the most deserving team or the team that would be favored in a hypothetical matchup.—
Ralph D. Russo,
The Athletic,
21 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Given the baroque language of the text, not to mention the metaphysical events within the narrative itself, Dieter’s exact exploits remain open for interpretation.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
7 Feb. 2025
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As in Dante, the metaphysical landscape is taken seriously and is carefully documented, as if the reader might someday go there and need to know the rules.—
Elisa Gonzalez,
The New Yorker,
3 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Cramer named a few popular speculative names that saw losses on Thursday, including Palantir, Carvana and Applovin.—
Julie Coleman,
CNBC,
21 Feb. 2025
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Expect Market Volatility The crypto market is currently in a hyper-sensitive state, with traders reacting sharply to any news—whether factual or speculative.—
Alice Liu,
Forbes,
21 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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One Japanese economist runs a conceptual clock that counts down to his country’s final child: the current readout is January 5, 2720.—
Gideon Lewis-Kraus,
The New Yorker,
24 Feb. 2025
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Thankfully, my mother held on to a majority of my childhood relics, including handwritten movie reviews, conceptual magazines, comics and lots of artwork — all tinged with my angsty ’90s spirit.—
Jennifer Sodini,
Rolling Stone,
24 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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But the possible consequences of an Iranian nuclear capability are largely conjectural (save for one: nobody would think of invading Iran anymore).—
Barry R. Posen,
Foreign Affairs,
7 Sep. 2010
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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
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Justice, in this context, is not merely an abstract ideal.—
Gyunduz Mamedov,
TIME,
24 Feb. 2025
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The costs of an aging and diminished society feel more abstract.—
Gideon Lewis-Kraus,
The New Yorker,
24 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Theoretical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/theoretical. Accessed 1 Mar. 2025.
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