theoretical
adjective
the·o·ret·i·cal
ˌthē-ə-ˈre-ti-kəl 
ˌthir-ˈe-ti-kəl
variants
or less commonly theoretic
ˌthē-ə-ˈre-tik
ˌthir-ˈe-tik
1
: existing only in theory : hypothetical
gave as an example a theoretical situation
2
a
: relating to or having the character of theory : abstract
b
: confined to theory or speculation often in contrast to practical applications : speculative
theoretical physics
3
: given to or skilled in theorizing
a brilliant theoretical physicist
Synonyms
Examples of theoretical in a Sentence
On a theoretical level, hiring more people seems logical.
The idea is purely theoretical at this point.
The danger is more than just a theoretical possibility.
Recent Examples on the Web
Under a pessimistic but theoretical scenario world GDP drops by 0.4% this year, according to a paper from the Washington-DC based Institute for International Finance.
—
Simon Constable, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024
Trump Has Promised to Do in a Second Term
The attack also takes place against the ongoing backdrop of Russia’s war in Ukraine, and already U.S. and Russian officials appear to be bickering over any theoretical or potential connection.
—Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 22 Mar. 2024
Most of the effects are still theoretical since the lakes are generally too treacherous for data-gathering expeditions during the coldest months and biologists have long thought that little ecological activity takes place under the ice anyway.
—Todd Richmond, Quartz, 7 Mar. 2024
In the years since, researchers have worked to develop more realistic theoretical frameworks.
—Ben Brubaker, Quanta Magazine, 21 Mar. 2024
Much of the show's spectacle comes as Oxford 5 members Rooney and theoretical physicist Cheng are pulled into an immersive virtual reality game.
—Bryan Alexander, USA TODAY, 20 Mar. 2024
Image Image And unlike pop-culture portrayals of theoretical physicists — solitarily scribbling away on blackboards, enveloped in clouds of chalk dust — Dr. Massey likes working with people.
—Katrina Miller, New York Times, 19 Mar. 2024
Fast forward to today, and those discussions aren’t just theoretical anymore.
—Jennifer Sodini, Rolling Stone, 11 Mar. 2024
This is all still theoretical, though: The Biden administration’s drug price negotiations just began this year, targeting an initial slate of 10 drugs; the drug industry has filed multiple lawsuits to try to stop the initiative; and the new prices won’t take effect until 2026 at the earliest.
—Evan Halper, Washington Post, 8 Mar. 2024
Simon Constable, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024
Trump Has Promised to Do in a Second Term
The attack also takes place against the ongoing backdrop of Russia’s war in Ukraine, and already U.S. and Russian officials appear to be bickering over any theoretical or potential connection.
—Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 22 Mar. 2024
Most of the effects are still theoretical since the lakes are generally too treacherous for data-gathering expeditions during the coldest months and biologists have long thought that little ecological activity takes place under the ice anyway.
—Todd Richmond, Quartz, 7 Mar. 2024
In the years since, researchers have worked to develop more realistic theoretical frameworks.
—Ben Brubaker, Quanta Magazine, 21 Mar. 2024
Much of the show's spectacle comes as Oxford 5 members Rooney and theoretical physicist Cheng are pulled into an immersive virtual reality game.
—Bryan Alexander, USA TODAY, 20 Mar. 2024
Image Image And unlike pop-culture portrayals of theoretical physicists — solitarily scribbling away on blackboards, enveloped in clouds of chalk dust — Dr. Massey likes working with people.
—Katrina Miller, New York Times, 19 Mar. 2024
Fast forward to today, and those discussions aren’t just theoretical anymore.
—Jennifer Sodini, Rolling Stone, 11 Mar. 2024
This is all still theoretical, though: The Biden administration’s drug price negotiations just began this year, targeting an initial slate of 10 drugs; the drug industry has filed multiple lawsuits to try to stop the initiative; and the new prices won’t take effect until 2026 at the earliest.
—Evan Halper, Washington Post, 8 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'theoretical.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near theoretical
Cite this Entry
“Theoretical.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/theoretical. Accessed 20 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
theoretical
adjective
the·o·ret·i·cal
ˌthē-ə-ˈret-i-kəl
ˌthi(-ə)r-ˈet-
variants
also theoretic
1
a
: relating to or having the character of theory : abstract
b
: limited to theory or speculation : speculative
theoretical physics
2
: existing only in theory : hypothetical
a theoretical situation
theoretically
adverb
-i-k(ə-)lē
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