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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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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Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of theoretical
There is a theoretical solution to this problem: a flu vaccine that protects against all strains of flu, helping the body’s immune system identify parts of the virus that are consistent from season to season and from strain to strain.
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Maggie Fox, Scientific American, 30 Oct. 2024
One theoretical analysis from 2022 concluded that the seven-person arrow formation that Kipchoge used in his sub-two run saved 5:29 compared to running solo.
—Alex Hutchinson, Outside Online, 22 Oct. 2024
Despite the holes that their opponents had picked in their theoretical framework, most workaday economists continued to rely on it.
—John Cassidy, The New Yorker, 2 Nov. 2024
While 6 GHz has the same theoretical top speed as 5 GHz, the former offers much wider bandwidth.
—Simon Hill, WIRED, 2 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for theoretical 
Maggie Fox, Scientific American, 30 Oct. 2024
One theoretical analysis from 2022 concluded that the seven-person arrow formation that Kipchoge used in his sub-two run saved 5:29 compared to running solo.
—Alex Hutchinson, Outside Online, 22 Oct. 2024
Despite the holes that their opponents had picked in their theoretical framework, most workaday economists continued to rely on it.
—John Cassidy, The New Yorker, 2 Nov. 2024
While 6 GHz has the same theoretical top speed as 5 GHz, the former offers much wider bandwidth.
—Simon Hill, WIRED, 2 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for theoretical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for theoretical
Adjective
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In a hypothetical redo of the 2020 presidential election with the new electoral voting map, Biden would have still won, but his margin would have been smaller.Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024
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From these observations, researchers calculated the position of a hypothetical planet, then pointed their best telescopes there.Shi En Kim, Smithsonian Magazine, 5 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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Perhaps that’s why Sedona attracts such a strong enclave of New Age spiritual devotees searching for metaphysical energy in the vortexes allegedly sprinkled throughout its buttes and spires.Erin Strout, Outside Online, 11 Nov. 2024
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His fascination was with light, optics and the metaphysical, his layered geometric forms made with almost scientific precision.Nargess Banks, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024
Adjective
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Any financial instruments mentioned herein are speculative in nature and may involve risk to principal and interest.Katie Stockton, CNBC, 4 Nov. 2024
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Rarely does this speculative frenzy turn out nicely.Jim Osman, Forbes, 21 Oct. 2024
Adjective
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The Shakespearean conceptual artist who turned Romeo and Juliet into Hopeless Fountain Kingdom.Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 25 Oct. 2024
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This is the conceptual link between WOC and the finance-theoretic concept known as the Efficient Market Hypothesis (EMH).George Calhoun, Forbes, 23 Oct. 2024
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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The artist born in 1988 is known for her large-format, abstract charcoal drawings.The Editors of ARTnews, ARTnews.com, 5 Nov. 2024
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Before cuneiform, however, there was an archaic script using abstract pictographic signs called proto-cuneiform.Ashley Strickland, CNN, 5 Nov. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near theoretical
Cite this Entry
“Theoretical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/theoretical. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
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