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
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
That growth is not just theoretical.
—
Paulina Likos, CNBC, 17 Sep. 2025
This insight isn’t theoretical.
—Adrian Dearnell, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
That volume of data is impractical to fit theoretical models to deliver large-scale, accurate predictions.
—Robert Lea, Space.com, 16 Sep. 2025
The material enhances performance The team elucidated the material’s mechanism through a series of experimental analyses, including solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (ssNMR) spectroscopy, electron spin resonance (EPR) spectroscopy, and theoretical calculations.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 16 Sep. 2025
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Paulina Likos, CNBC, 17 Sep. 2025
This insight isn’t theoretical.
—Adrian Dearnell, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
That volume of data is impractical to fit theoretical models to deliver large-scale, accurate predictions.
—Robert Lea, Space.com, 16 Sep. 2025
The material enhances performance The team elucidated the material’s mechanism through a series of experimental analyses, including solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (ssNMR) spectroscopy, electron spin resonance (EPR) spectroscopy, and theoretical calculations.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 16 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for theoretical
Cite this Entry
“Theoretical.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/theoretical. Accessed 19 Sep. 2025.
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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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