on paper

phrase

1
: in writing
wants these promises on paper
2
: in theory
the plan looks good on paper
3
: figured at face value
on paper the stock was worth nearly a million dollars

Examples of on paper in a Sentence

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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.
Nobody asked the question because, on paper, nobody changed the decision. — Maman Ibrahim, Forbes.com, 16 Oct. 2026 Google's project in Alviso, technically a research facility on paper, could still draw 250 megawatts at capacity. — Sooji Nam, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026 Similarly, on paper, Klara and the Sun is a great idea, a way for adults to explain mortality to their kids while bracing themselves for redundancy. — Damon Wise, Deadline, 15 Oct. 2026 Prast’s answer is that Moore’s Law comes out of physics, a science humans understand well enough to solve on paper, and batteries belong to another tradition. — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 15 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for on paper

Rhymes for on paper

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Browse Nearby Words

on pain of
on paper
on parade
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Cite this Entry

“On paper.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/on%20paper. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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