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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of theoretical
Kevin Zhou, a postdoctoral researcher in theoretical particle physics at the University of California, Berkeley, submitted a handful of questions to the test.
—
Kevin Roose, New York Times, 23 Jan. 2025
Perhaps there was an extra burst of dark energy in the early universe, or maybe energy was injected into the early cosmos by radiation from axions, which are theoretical particles and one candidate for the identity of dark matter.
—Keith Cooper, Space.com, 22 Jan. 2025
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
See all Example Sentences for theoretical 
Kevin Roose, New York Times, 23 Jan. 2025
Perhaps there was an extra burst of dark energy in the early universe, or maybe energy was injected into the early cosmos by radiation from axions, which are theoretical particles and one candidate for the identity of dark matter.
—Keith Cooper, Space.com, 22 Jan. 2025
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
See all Example Sentences for theoretical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for theoretical
Adjective
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Kuzma was posed that hypothetical Sunday night, after the loss to the Kings.—
Josh Robbins,
The Athletic,
20 Jan. 2025
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The vast majority of cosmologists believe all of these phenomena can be explained through the presence of dark matter, a hypothetical form of matter that is massive, electrically neutral and hardly, if ever, interacts with normal matter.—
Paul Sutter,
Space.com,
20 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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But tension quickly develops between Elizabeth and this perky new creation (Margaret Qualley), sparking a metaphysical battle that takes a toll on both of them.—
Scott Tobias,
New York Times,
23 Jan. 2025
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Carlson’s images combust with metaphysical abundance.—
Jeremy Lybarger,
ARTnews.com,
6 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Or does its unlikely real-world utility qualify it as an art project, meant to exist mostly in the realm of the speculative, or of aspirational ideals?—
Oskar Oprey,
Artforum,
28 Jan. 2025
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The meltdown of the office market in the years after the coronavirus outbreak, however, rendered a speculative office development unfeasible.—
George Avalos,
The Mercury News,
28 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Should be a conceptual thinker with strategic and problem-solving skills.—
Terina Allen,
Forbes,
20 Jan. 2025
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The problem with such a conceptual series is that the writers can get lost in the mythology and leave the characters and less exciting plot beats behind.—
Kelly Lawler,
USA TODAY,
17 Jan. 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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Students observed him on the campus lawn hand-chiseling his first commission — an abstract rendition of a mother and child from an 8-foot-tall block of Georgia marble, which was installed next to the Fine Arts Building that fall.—
Mary Logan Bikoff,
New York Times,
18 Jan. 2025
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In addition to vinyl, which is now a No. 1 bestseller on the retailer, Amazon’s lineup includes crewneck sweatshirts, graphic tees, CDs, cassettes, and posters featuring the abstract illustration.—
Anna Tingley,
Variety,
17 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near theoretical
Cite this Entry
“Theoretical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/theoretical. Accessed 4 Feb. 2025.
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