How to Use theoretical in a Sentence

theoretical

adjective
Definition of theoreticalnext
Synonyms for theoreticalnext
  • The idea is purely theoretical at this point.
  • The danger is more than just a theoretical possibility.
  • On a theoretical level, hiring more people seems logical.
  • This is the type of theoretical physics that Dr. Katie Mack thinks about a lot.
    — Steven Strogatz, Quanta Magazine, 22 Feb. 2023
  • But in this case, the loss of jobs isn’t just theoretical.
    — Bysteve Mollman, Fortune, 25 Feb. 2023
  • There might not be a theoretical limit to the height from which a cat can fall and survive.
    — The Atlantic Science Desk, The Atlantic, 30 Dec. 2022
  • Warp drives have been a dream of sci-fi nerds and theoretical physicists alike for decades now.
    — Jackie Appel, Popular Mechanics, 9 May 2023
  • Today’s North-South got to six spades, missing the best theoretical spot of seven clubs.
    — Frank Stewart, The Mercury News, 4 Feb. 2024
  • The story follows the theoretical physicist who led the development of the atomic bomb that helped to end World War II.
    — Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 3 Sep. 2023
  • The Colts have a coach in Shane Steichen and a quarterback in Richardson who, while still proving themselves, present all the theoretical upside in the world.
    — Nate Atkins, The Indianapolis Star, 11 Jan. 2024
  • And the war in Ukraine feels a little bit more far away, more distant, more uncertain, maybe more theoretical.
    — Nbc Universal, NBC News, 5 Nov. 2023
  • So the story of a father and a daughter has become far less theoretical.
    — Samuel D. Hunter, Los Angeles Times, 26 Dec. 2022
  • Right now the prospect of a third-party candidate is just theoretical.
    — Chuck Todd, NBC News, 3 Apr. 2023
  • Are the ranges just theoretical, or are they tied to specific budgets?
    — Gabriela Riccardi, Quartz, 9 Jan. 2023
  • His company, which makes robotic lawn mowers, had a line of credit and most of its cash with the bank, but the worry at that point was mostly theoretical.
    — Saritha Rai, Fortune, 30 Mar. 2023
  • Their posts range from the minutely forensic—analyses of autopsy reports and the knife allegedly used in the killings—to the broadly theoretical.
    — Megan Garber, The Atlantic, 21 Jan. 2023
  • Although these viruses have been shown to infect human cells in the lab, the health risks to actual patients is still theoretical.
    — Emily Mullin, WIRED, 11 Oct. 2023
  • There was good reason for Newsom to weigh race and gender in filling a theoretical vacant seat.
    — Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2023
  • Expect to see the theoretical physicist’s influence on the runway in seasons to come.
    — Radhika Seth, Vogue, 16 Dec. 2023
  • The theoretical concern is in people who are using oxygen instead of a CPAP, which can slow down breathing.
    — Dr. Keith Roach, oregonlive, 9 Aug. 2023
  • Whether all that can be achieved on a broad scale is largely a theoretical debate at this point, given that the changes are relatively recent.
    — Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Sep. 2023
  • Suddenly, Alvarez leaps from his seat and sprints down the road to find his colleague, the theoretical physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer.
    — Katrina Miller, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2023
  • Wild theoretical portraitures are called for: The sound of melting light, and time inverting.
    — Jonathan Rowe, SPIN, 23 Jan. 2024
  • The Greenland ice sheet is one of more than a dozen theoretical climate tipping points — rapid, irreversible or abrupt changes — that keep some scientists up at night.
    — Evan Bush, NBC News, 18 Oct. 2023
  • The other change, however, is that, in 2011, climate change was only beginning to show its fangs; most of the discussion was still theoretical, cast in the future tense.
    — Bill McKibben, The New Yorker, 22 Sep. 2023
  • Gene edited crops are still mostly theoretical, but a few have recently hit the market.
    — Karen Weintraub, USA TODAY, 30 Jan. 2023
  • And since Oregon is the first state to regulate the legal use of psilocybin, what federal laws will mean for the industry is theoretical.
    — oregonlive, 14 Mar. 2023
  • Based on the life of American theoretical physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer, the film explores his invention of the atomic bomb and the implications of the creation of the deadly weapon.
    — Amy MacKelden, Harper's BAZAAR, 21 July 2023
  • This usually wouldn't be a problem, but there is a theoretical risk of a mutation that might lead to cancer or other health issues in some cases.
    — Verywell Health, 22 Feb. 2023
  • The film, told through the lens of American theoretical physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer, has earned rave reviews and box-office success.
    — Laura Blasey, Los Angeles Times, 7 Aug. 2023

Some of 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.

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