How to Use theory in a Sentence

theory

noun
  • Her method is based on the theory that all children want to learn.
  • There are a number of different theories about the cause of the disease.
  • She proposed a theory of her own.
  • There is no evidence to support such a theory.
  • He is a specialist in film theory and criticism.
  • Investigators rejected the theory that the death was accidental.
  • Want to put this theory to the test?
    — Jenny Berg, Glamour, 29 May 2026
  • That’s kind of where the theory seems to fall apart.
    — Zach Harper, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2026
  • This was a great idea in theory.
    — Literary Hub, 17 June 2026
  • So, isn't that kind of a big hole in the theory?
    — CBS News, 11 Jan. 2026
  • Of course, this all sounds good in theory.
    — Jason Phillips, USA Today, 29 May 2026
  • Well that makes more sense than my theory.
    — Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 10 Apr. 2026
  • That’s kind of the point of the theory.
    — Rory McDonald, Fortune, 6 June 2026
  • Break that theory and we are doomed.
    — Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 13 Jan. 2026
  • In theory, both would have their stuff play up in short stints.
    — Los Angeles Times, 3 Aug. 2019
  • The theory didn’t change — the world around it did.
    — Rory McDonald, Fortune, 6 June 2026
  • So far, that theory has panned out.
    — Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 9 Apr. 2026
  • Which theory holds the most weight?
    — Kim Pfotenhauer, The Conversation, 22 May 2026
  • Still, there are a few theories.
    — Korin Miller, SELF, 5 Mar. 2026
  • But her phone and purse were still there, so that theory didn’t make any sense.
    — Eric Levenson, CNN Money, 26 Mar. 2026
  • The Catholic theory of the case goes like this.
    — Elias Wachtel, The Atlantic, 25 Apr. 2026
  • There are a few things in favor of his theory.
    — Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 31 Dec. 2025
  • The fourth theory has to do with the creators of these tools.
    — Caroline Mimbs Nyce, The Atlantic, 16 Aug. 2024
  • Experts say there may be some truth to that theory.
    — Dalia Faheid, CNN Money, 27 Oct. 2025
  • In this case, seeing no stars is what proves the theory right.
    — Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 8 Jan. 2026
  • Others say this new theory rests on a flawed premise.
    — Martha Ross, Mercury News, 18 Feb. 2026
  • So far, the past couple of years have proven that theory wrong.
    — Samuel Axon, Ars Technica, 31 July 2019
  • That vote has since been the subject of false theories about her death.
    — Mary Murphy, Twin Cities, 16 Feb. 2026
  • That’s also true for all of our theories of physics.
    — Big Think, 29 Oct. 2025
  • No one likes their theories and core beliefs proven wrong.
    — Stephen Moore, Boston Herald, 31 Dec. 2025

Some of these examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'theory.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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