theoretical

adjective

ˌthē-ə-ˈre-ti-kəl How to pronounce theoretical (audio)
variants also theoretic
Definition of theoreticalnext
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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of theoretical The Quaternary Interpretation of Quantum Dynamics (QIQD) provides the theoretical foundation for this view. — Pravir Malik, Forbes.com, 16 Oct. 2026 Filtering out quantum errors In 2024, Google Quantum AI researchers Craig Gidney, Noah Shutty and Cody Jones developed the magic state cultivation technique by refining an earlier theoretical approach. — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 15 Oct. 2026 The peak theoretical performance of the original Cray-1 was approximately 160 megaflops. — ArsTechnica, 9 Oct. 2026 Families We Lose contains a less theoretical version of the problem. — Literary Hub, 9 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for theoretical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for theoretical
  1. hypothetical
  2. metaphysical
  3. speculative
  4. conceptual
  5. conjectural
  6. abstract
  7. mental
Adjective
  • Amazon has a hypothetical $50 billion chip business and can offer a roadmap to immense profitability.
    — Jim Cramer, CNBC, 25 Oct. 2026
  • And there is still a hypothetical risk, election experts say, that the President could do something new and outlandishly lawless on or close to Election Day.
    — Barton Gellman, New Yorker, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of hypothetical
Adjective
  • The latter perhaps most acutely reflected such dominant motifs in Gibson’s midcareer work as female figures, birds, and metaphysical reflectors.
    — The Editors of ARTnews, ARTnews.com, 20 Oct. 2026
  • The best moments on records like Redemption, Blackheart, and Second Line use her knack for grand, metaphysical metaphors to charge her singing with epic stakes.
    — Stephen Kearse, Pitchfork, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of metaphysical
Adjective
  • Those concerns stretch across the realities of AI’s growth today and more speculative possibilities raised by some technologists and whistle-blowers.
    — Danya Gainor, CNN Money, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Yet, as in many speculative markets, sophisticated participants often have access to better information, stronger analytical tools and more advanced risk-management techniques than retail participants, giving them an informational edge.
    — Aneri Jambusaria, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of speculative
Adjective
  • That caught the attention of his professor Allan Sekula, a conceptual artist who married photography and text to create installations that explored issues of labor and trade.
    — Carolina A. Miranda, Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2026
  • According to the council agenda report, the original plan included a conceptual design for as much as 250,000 square feet of commercial development at the site.
    — Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of conceptual
Adjective
  • The first two questions are too hypothetical and conjectural.
    — Baltimore Sun staff, Baltimore Sun, 20 May 2026
  • Projections of economic gains from major sporting events are typically optimistic, euphoric, chimerical or conjectural.
    — Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2025
Definition of conjectural
Adjective
  • Instead, applicants must complete a seven-step process that includes personality and abstract reasoning tests.
    — Sam Birchall, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Only two abstract paintings from the artist have been sold at auction in more than three decades, according to Louise Wrede, the head of Bukowskis art department.
    — Hikmat Mohammed, ARTnews.com, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of abstract
Adjective
  • The mental toll that comes with Ebola Losing relatives to disease outbreaks is always difficult, but responders say grief can be especially severe with Ebola in a country where the disease is viewed by many as evil due to rumors and misconceptions.
    — Constant Same Bagalwa, Los Angeles Times, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Their alluring quality belies their extreme toxicity; at times used as a hallucinogen, their ingestion can cause severe mental confusion and even death.
    — Tatiane de Assis, ARTnews.com, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of mental

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theorems
theoretical
theories
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Cite this Entry

“Theoretical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/theoretical. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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