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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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
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Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of theoretical
Eventually, a theoretical picture emerged for the supersolid.
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Quanta Magazine, 6 Nov. 2024
These partnerships are crucial for pushing quantum computing beyond its theoretical potential and into practical, scalable business solutions.
—Yuval Boger, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
There may have also been confusion around management’s theoretical comments about discontinuing the use of Simul-frac, which has unlocked a lot of capital efficiencies.
—Jeff Marks, CNBC, 4 Nov. 2024
The question now is whether this new, more primitive geometric approach to particle physics will allow theoretical physicists to slip the confines of space and time altogether.
—Charlie Wood, WIRED, 3 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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Temporary help service firms and consulting firms are not required to disclose pay and benefits for speculative future openings but must provide this information for specific job openings during interviews or at the time of hire.Alonzo Martinez, Forbes, 22 Nov. 2024
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Successful gold mining today bears little resemblance to the storied era of America’s first gold boom: rough-and-tumble 19th-century boomtowns cropping up overnight to accommodate speculative prospectors, chasing gold veins and rumors.Greg McKenna, Fortune, 21 Nov. 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 29 Nov. 2024.
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