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
  • Farther from Tau Ceti, where the light was weaker, a hypothetical high-sensitivity camera could reveal them.
    — Davide Abbatescianni, Variety, 18 Oct. 2026
  • In this approach, researchers come up with hypothetical scenarios based on existing technology trends, leaning into certain features.
    — Lissa Soep, Vox, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of hypothetical
Adjective
  • 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
  • Our work re-imagines these ancient tombs as theatrical spaces, built to perpetuate a form of metaphysical human experience.
    — Jacqueline Ortoleva, Scientific American, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of metaphysical
Adjective
  • The author’s latest speculative dystopian fiction features parallel universes that explore alternate realities — and doppelgangers that stumble between the two.
    — Emily St. Martin, Los Angeles Times, 12 Oct. 2026
  • The building, the paper said, reflected how big the speculative side of the oil trade had become.
    — Brian C. Black, The Conversation, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of speculative
Adjective
  • Then there’s the new electric Jaguar, a machine that inflamed the Internet and became the subject of global controversy when its conceptual precursor was revealed in late 2024.
    — Jason Barlow, Robb Report, 11 Oct. 2026
  • In the process, American comedy went from being a writer’s medium, conceptual and self-aware, to a more tonal form that rewarded actors’ screen presence and sense of timing.
    — Dan Brooks, New Yorker, 10 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
  • An abstract painting by Walker features in Kindred’s show, signalled by the artist’s former profession as a trainee dancer at the Royal Ballet School.
    — Hikmat Mohammed, ARTnews.com, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Newspapers and books also joined the dots between apparently disconnected events and items of gossip, helping readers to see their problems in abstract, systemic and political terms.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of abstract
Adjective
  • Women naturally store less creatine than men, and during perimenopause and menopause, declining estrogen can take a toll on both muscle health and mental clarity.
    — Maggie Ryan, Flow Space, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Steeped in therapy culture and financial literacy content, young Americans are fluent in boundary-setting and open to frank conversations about money and mental load.
    — Grace Kelleher, Los Angeles Times, 15 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 21 Oct. 2026.

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