as in theoretical
dealing with or expressing a quality or idea
conceptual thinking is often the most demanding kind of mental activity
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Recent Examples of conceptual
Xuan Nu fighters are also a conceptual spacecraft, a hypothetical 6th generation jet showcased at tech exhibitions to get students and the public hyped for careers in engineering and science.
—
Joe Wilkins Published Feb 4, Futurism, 4 Feb. 2026
That schedule was ultimately stretched into a four-year process due to reshoots and shifting logistics, but the conceptual experiment held in Petsch’s view.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 4 Feb. 2026
The resulting images of floating cameras, canisters, and film boxes push the idea of spirit photography to a conceptual (and rather comic) extreme.
—Shannon Taggart, Artforum, 1 Feb. 2026
The data were then fed into a 3-D computer program that created two models, one of Malinin’s jumps and another of conceptual improvements to the jumps.
—Sally Jenkins, The Atlantic, 1 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for conceptual
Joe Wilkins Published Feb 4, Futurism, 4 Feb. 2026
That schedule was ultimately stretched into a four-year process due to reshoots and shifting logistics, but the conceptual experiment held in Petsch’s view.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 4 Feb. 2026
The resulting images of floating cameras, canisters, and film boxes push the idea of spirit photography to a conceptual (and rather comic) extreme.
—Shannon Taggart, Artforum, 1 Feb. 2026
The data were then fed into a 3-D computer program that created two models, one of Malinin’s jumps and another of conceptual improvements to the jumps.
—Sally Jenkins, The Atlantic, 1 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for conceptual
Recent Examples of Synonyms for conceptual
Adjective
-
Palmer’s goal from open play, which involved theoretical No 10 Fernandez carrying the ball out wide, full-back Cucurella underlapping him, and Palmer finishing in the box, summed that up.—
Cerys Jones,
New York Times,
8 Feb. 2026
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The partnership is shifting from theoretical research to the project development phase, with a focus on delivering a 50 MW commercial pilot.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
5 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Under this clash of Venus and Uranus, a blind spot could impact your literal plans or more metaphysical beliefs.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
8 Feb. 2026
-
Suffice to say that Zi’s condition may not be a physical issue or even a mental one but, rather, a metaphysical state.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
4 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
My empathy for immigrants and refugees is not abstract.—
Valeng Cha,
Twin Cities,
8 Feb. 2026
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In the 9th District, those debates are no longer abstract.—
Olivia Olander,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Conceptual.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/conceptual. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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