in theory
idiom
1
—used to say what should happen or be true if a theory is correct
In theory, the reading skills of the students should improve.
2
—used to say that something seems to be true or possible as an idea but may not actually be true or possible
I agree with you in theory, but realistically I don't think we have the time to do that.
Examples of in theory in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Signals emerged in ninety-two participants—each one, in theory, a life saved or prolonged.
—
Siddhartha Mukherjee, New Yorker, 16 June 2025
King comes from a post as the city’s senior director of educational policy, so in theory, she is aligned with the mayor’s priorities.
—Nell Salzman, Chicago Tribune, 14 June 2025
The update should, in theory at least, fix one of the biggest headaches in the Matter smart home so far, of fragmented Thread networks.
—Paul Lamkin, Forbes.com, 13 June 2025
One of the more immediate reasons was that an International Atomic Energy Agency report found that Iran was making progress toward enriching uranium to a degree that, in theory at least, would allow Tehran to very quickly upgrade to a weapons-grade level.
—Javed Ali, The Conversation, 13 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for in theory
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.
Siddhartha Mukherjee, New Yorker, 16 June 2025
King comes from a post as the city’s senior director of educational policy, so in theory, she is aligned with the mayor’s priorities.
—Nell Salzman, Chicago Tribune, 14 June 2025
The update should, in theory at least, fix one of the biggest headaches in the Matter smart home so far, of fragmented Thread networks.
—Paul Lamkin, Forbes.com, 13 June 2025
One of the more immediate reasons was that an International Atomic Energy Agency report found that Iran was making progress toward enriching uranium to a degree that, in theory at least, would allow Tehran to very quickly upgrade to a weapons-grade level.
—Javed Ali, The Conversation, 13 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for in theory
Cite this Entry
“In theory.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/in%20theory. Accessed 26 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share