variants
also theoretic
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of theoretical
By judicious use of power conservation, as well as staying below the maximum theoretical throughput speeds of PCIe 5.0, the P510 attenuates the prodigious heat generated by its high-performance Gen 5 counterparts.
—
PCMAG, 11 Jan. 2025
This isn’t theoretical—businesses are already using quantum to: Dynamically reallocate budgets to maximize ROI.
—Jason Snyder, Forbes, 9 Jan. 2025
Most Popular Stories of 2020 Crocodiles in Egypt, latrines in Rome, two timely syllabi, plus interviews with an epidemiologist and a theoretical physicist, were readers' favorites this year.
—JSTOR Daily, 8 Jan. 2025
The theoretical matchups fans anticipated during the offseason are finally starting to play out on the court, adding a new wrinkle to the traditional rivalries of league play.
—Sabreena Merchant, The Athletic, 6 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for theoretical 
PCMAG, 11 Jan. 2025
This isn’t theoretical—businesses are already using quantum to: Dynamically reallocate budgets to maximize ROI.
—Jason Snyder, Forbes, 9 Jan. 2025
Most Popular Stories of 2020 Crocodiles in Egypt, latrines in Rome, two timely syllabi, plus interviews with an epidemiologist and a theoretical physicist, were readers' favorites this year.
—JSTOR Daily, 8 Jan. 2025
The theoretical matchups fans anticipated during the offseason are finally starting to play out on the court, adding a new wrinkle to the traditional rivalries of league play.
—Sabreena Merchant, The Athletic, 6 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for theoretical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for theoretical
Adjective
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The vast majority of cosmologists believe all of these phenomena can be explained through the presence of dark matter, a hypothetical form of matter that is massive, electrically neutral and hardly, if ever, interacts with normal matter.—
Paul Sutter,
Space.com,
20 Jan. 2025
-
Kuzma was posed that hypothetical Sunday night, after the loss to the Kings.—
Josh Robbins,
The Athletic,
20 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Carlson’s images combust with metaphysical abundance.—
Jeremy Lybarger,
ARTnews.com,
6 Jan. 2025
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Though scientific evidence for crystal healing is yet to be established, many spiritual practitioners believe in their metaphysical properties, which are thought to support emotional and spiritual transformation.—
Valerie Mesa,
People.com,
23 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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The two sides will stop fighting for 42 days, with the aim (again, speculative) of making that cease-fire permanent and ending the war.—
Graeme Wood,
The Atlantic,
16 Jan. 2025
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Yes, but: Those plans are dependent on Cleveland-Cliffs acquisition of U.S. Steel and are still only speculative.—
Sam Allard,
Axios,
15 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Should be a conceptual thinker with strategic and problem-solving skills.—
Terina Allen,
Forbes,
20 Jan. 2025
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The problem with such a conceptual series is that the writers can get lost in the mythology and leave the characters and less exciting plot beats behind.—
Kelly Lawler,
USA TODAY,
17 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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But the possible consequences of an Iranian nuclear capability are largely conjectural (save for one: nobody would think of invading Iran anymore).—
Barry R. Posen,
Foreign Affairs,
7 Sep. 2010
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That statistic is somewhat conjectural, since the vast majority of rapes in India are apparently not reported.—
Mark Jenkins,
Washington Post,
7 Nov. 2023
Adjective
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Students observed him on the campus lawn hand-chiseling his first commission — an abstract rendition of a mother and child from an 8-foot-tall block of Georgia marble, which was installed next to the Fine Arts Building that fall.—
Mary Logan Bikoff,
New York Times,
18 Jan. 2025
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In addition to vinyl, which is now a No. 1 bestseller on the retailer, Amazon’s lineup includes crewneck sweatshirts, graphic tees, CDs, cassettes, and posters featuring the abstract illustration.—
Anna Tingley,
Variety,
17 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near theoretical
Cite this Entry
“Theoretical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/theoretical. Accessed 27 Jan. 2025.
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