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
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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
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Recent Examples of theoretical
Kevin Zhou, a postdoctoral researcher in theoretical particle physics at the University of California, Berkeley, submitted a handful of questions to the test.
—
Kevin Roose, New York Times, 23 Jan. 2025
Perhaps there was an extra burst of dark energy in the early universe, or maybe energy was injected into the early cosmos by radiation from axions, which are theoretical particles and one candidate for the identity of dark matter.
—Keith Cooper, Space.com, 22 Jan. 2025
The newspaper was referring to Planet Nine, a theoretical planet at the edge of the solar system.
—Ailsa Harvey, Space.com, 17 Jan. 2025
Martin Karplus, a Nobel Prize-winning theoretical chemist who used computers to model how complex systems change during chemical reactions, died last month at 94.
—Natasha Frost, New York Times, 16 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for theoretical 
Kevin Roose, New York Times, 23 Jan. 2025
Perhaps there was an extra burst of dark energy in the early universe, or maybe energy was injected into the early cosmos by radiation from axions, which are theoretical particles and one candidate for the identity of dark matter.
—Keith Cooper, Space.com, 22 Jan. 2025
The newspaper was referring to Planet Nine, a theoretical planet at the edge of the solar system.
—Ailsa Harvey, Space.com, 17 Jan. 2025
Martin Karplus, a Nobel Prize-winning theoretical chemist who used computers to model how complex systems change during chemical reactions, died last month at 94.
—Natasha Frost, New York Times, 16 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for theoretical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for theoretical
Adjective
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As one hypothetical valuation method, Neuringer suggests taking the Canal’s contribution to Panama’s $83 billion annual GDP—estimated by the Canal Authority in 2023 at between three and six percent, or roughly $2.5 billion to $5 billion—and multiplying it by the length of any deal.—
Kyle Khan-Mullins,
Forbes,
30 Jan. 2025
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The scenario is far from hypothetical; there has been recent alarm in the scientific community about the potential spread of bird flu to humans.—
Clare Malone,
The New Yorker,
29 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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But tension quickly develops between Elizabeth and this perky new creation (Margaret Qualley), sparking a metaphysical battle that takes a toll on both of them.—
Scott Tobias,
New York Times,
23 Jan. 2025
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Carlson’s images combust with metaphysical abundance.—
Jeremy Lybarger,
ARTnews.com,
6 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Or does its unlikely real-world utility qualify it as an art project, meant to exist mostly in the realm of the speculative, or of aspirational ideals?—
Oskar Oprey,
Artforum,
28 Jan. 2025
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The meltdown of the office market in the years after the coronavirus outbreak, however, rendered a speculative office development unfeasible.—
George Avalos,
The Mercury News,
28 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Elsewhere, beauty this week was equal parts femme and freaky: nail art was sculptural, flipped and reversed, hair was piled high to make a poncy French monarch proud, and conceptual makeup took inspo from nature’s most ornate creatures.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
1 Feb. 2025
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There is a certain conceptual power in this, as though Shahverdi were shaping the filmmaking itself, though this approach has its limits.—
Siddhant Adlakha,
Variety,
29 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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Some were small enough to appear nearly abstract from a distance, while others were larger than life-size, their motifs instantly recognizable from across the room.—
Richard Meyer,
Artforum,
1 Feb. 2025
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The bottom line: The ripple effects of Trump's tariffs may seem abstract and far off for many Americans, but that could change quickly.—
Jason Lalljee,
Axios,
31 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near theoretical
Cite this Entry
“Theoretical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/theoretical. Accessed 5 Feb. 2025.
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