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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of theoretical
Mavs players who could be included in a theoretical Holiday trade include center Daniel Gafford, and wings P.J. Washington and Caleb Martin.
—
Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 27 May 2025
Yet science has a track record of turning theoretical possibilities into reality.
—Dobromir Rahnev, The Conversation, 23 May 2025
Perhaps Céline will carry this unknown theoretical child.
—Catherine Bray, Variety, 23 May 2025
For stock market investors, the equity risk premium is the theoretical excess return of stocks over risk-free assets to account for market risk.
—CNBC, 19 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for theoretical
Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 27 May 2025
Yet science has a track record of turning theoretical possibilities into reality.
—Dobromir Rahnev, The Conversation, 23 May 2025
Perhaps Céline will carry this unknown theoretical child.
—Catherine Bray, Variety, 23 May 2025
For stock market investors, the equity risk premium is the theoretical excess return of stocks over risk-free assets to account for market risk.
—CNBC, 19 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for theoretical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for theoretical
Adjective
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One question on a sample exam Chisholm provided asks students to write a formula for determining the total number of cases during a hypothetical epidemic after a certain amount of days.—
Melissa Goldin,
Los Angeles Times,
1 June 2025
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For example, had Miami won, the hypothetical venue of Houston is indeed further from Miami than a day’s drive.—
Ian Nicholas Quillen,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2025
Adjective
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Cage’s haunted delivery, contrasting powerfully with Knell’s anxious, terrified giggling, gives the scene a metaphysical kick.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
28 May 2025
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The Hormone Monsters were soon joined by a full menagerie of metaphysical beings, from the Shame Wizard (David Thewlis) to the Depression Kitty (Jean Smart) to the Anxiety Mosquito (Maria Bamford).—
Alison Herman,
Variety,
24 May 2025
Adjective
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But analysts say rising premiums are more a speculative play or hedge against risk rather than a sign of impending financial crisis and insolvency.—
Yeo Boon Ping,
CNBC,
29 May 2025
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The ball is dropping and an Athletic player attempts a speculative pass through midfield.—
Art de Roché,
New York Times,
28 May 2025
Adjective
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Awe emerges from encounters with vastness — whether physical, conceptual, or moral — that challenge our existing mental frameworks.—
Cornelia C. Walther,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2025
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The conceptual plan from Property Markets Group for the roughly nine-acre site at 520 Callahan Dr. calls for 1,000 apartments, 725 of which would be affordable, and incorporates a grocery store in the development.—
Tyler Williams,
The Orlando Sentinel,
31 May 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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These abstract compositions at times appear to coalesce into visual language systems—in Dream, 2024, for example, repeating geometric motifs suggest the formation of glyphs—thereby establishing an intimate dialogue between mother and daughter that transcends delineations of space and time.—
Jessica Simmons-Reid,
Artforum,
1 June 2025
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This confirmation turns what might seem like abstract statistics into something very real.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
31 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Theoretical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/theoretical. Accessed 5 Jun. 2025.
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