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
The twists had been expected based on theoretical work from Schweitzer and Polyakov.
—
Charlie Wood, WIRED, 14 Apr. 2024
What began as a theoretical conversation over drinks took hold of the pair, who decided to put the idea to the test.
—Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 13 Apr. 2024
Over his decades-long career, the 67-year-old Institute for Advanced Study professor concerned himself with whether a problem could be solved, rather than what the answer might be—part of a specialization known as theoretical computer science.
—Christian Thorsberg, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 Apr. 2024
My trusty spreadsheet found that the Golden State could fall one notch in 2024 to fast-growing India in this theoretical ranking of economic heft, as measured by Gross Domestic Product – a broad measure of business output.
—Jonathan Lansner, Orange County Register, 11 Apr. 2024
As Lee says, any moral questions about them should be asked by whoever is looking at her photos, but those theoretical observers don’t factor into the film, either.
—Amy Nicholson, Washington Post, 10 Apr. 2024
Henry Yuen, associate professor of computer science at Columbia and a theoretical computer scientist, tells the Verge via email this may just be the beginning of more discoveries that make quantum computing easier.
—Emilia David, The Verge, 8 Apr. 2024
Index funds have also prompted a more theoretical debate over the structures of the market.
—Paolo Confino, Fortune, 5 Apr. 2024
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
Charlie Wood, WIRED, 14 Apr. 2024
What began as a theoretical conversation over drinks took hold of the pair, who decided to put the idea to the test.
—Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 13 Apr. 2024
Over his decades-long career, the 67-year-old Institute for Advanced Study professor concerned himself with whether a problem could be solved, rather than what the answer might be—part of a specialization known as theoretical computer science.
—Christian Thorsberg, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 Apr. 2024
My trusty spreadsheet found that the Golden State could fall one notch in 2024 to fast-growing India in this theoretical ranking of economic heft, as measured by Gross Domestic Product – a broad measure of business output.
—Jonathan Lansner, Orange County Register, 11 Apr. 2024
As Lee says, any moral questions about them should be asked by whoever is looking at her photos, but those theoretical observers don’t factor into the film, either.
—Amy Nicholson, Washington Post, 10 Apr. 2024
Henry Yuen, associate professor of computer science at Columbia and a theoretical computer scientist, tells the Verge via email this may just be the beginning of more discoveries that make quantum computing easier.
—Emilia David, The Verge, 8 Apr. 2024
Index funds have also prompted a more theoretical debate over the structures of the market.
—Paolo Confino, Fortune, 5 Apr. 2024
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
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 25 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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