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
Synonyms
- academic
- academical
- conjectural
- hypothetical
- speculative
- suppositional
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
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 And Quinn didn’t want this exercise to be simply theoretical, which led him to ask: Now what? 
Jori Epstein, USA TODAY, 13 Sep. 2022 The violence that Sauron and his minions pose is theoretical, making Galadriel something of a fanatic. Daniel Bessner, The New Republic, 7 Sep. 2022 The threat is not theoretical, according to the report. Brian Fung, CNN, 24 Aug. 2022 By the time DeVore started testifying about Amazon's long-standing commitment to privacy and security, the dangers that the security division had identified weren't just theoretical. Will Evans, Wired, 18 Nov. 2021 Lil Nas X says this isn’t just theoretical for him. NBC News, 24 July 2021 For Europeans, the potential implications of personal fealty to an unchallenged leader are not just theoretical. Ned Temko, The Christian Science Monitor, 12 May 2021 While some lawmakers — particularly Republicans — in the Capitol treat statehood as a removed, theoretical issue, the city’s disenfranchisement has affected residents in very real and tangible ways. Natalie Gontcharova, refinery29.com, 22 Apr. 2021 That is what killed the world economy—and enhanced the demand for gold at the expense of real investment, the best exposition ever of the theoretical issue appearing in Mundell’s 1971 book on Monetary Theory. Brian Domitrovic, Forbes, 4 Apr. 2021 See More
Jori Epstein, USA TODAY, 13 Sep. 2022 The violence that Sauron and his minions pose is theoretical, making Galadriel something of a fanatic. Daniel Bessner, The New Republic, 7 Sep. 2022 The threat is not theoretical, according to the report. Brian Fung, CNN, 24 Aug. 2022 By the time DeVore started testifying about Amazon's long-standing commitment to privacy and security, the dangers that the security division had identified weren't just theoretical. Will Evans, Wired, 18 Nov. 2021 Lil Nas X says this isn’t just theoretical for him. NBC News, 24 July 2021 For Europeans, the potential implications of personal fealty to an unchallenged leader are not just theoretical. Ned Temko, The Christian Science Monitor, 12 May 2021 While some lawmakers — particularly Republicans — in the Capitol treat statehood as a removed, theoretical issue, the city’s disenfranchisement has affected residents in very real and tangible ways. Natalie Gontcharova, refinery29.com, 22 Apr. 2021 That is what killed the world economy—and enhanced the demand for gold at the expense of real investment, the best exposition ever of the theoretical issue appearing in Mundell’s 1971 book on Monetary Theory. Brian Domitrovic, Forbes, 4 Apr. 2021 See More Word History
Etymology
Late Latin theoreticus, from Greek theōrētikos, from theōrein to look at
First Known Use
1601, in the meaning defined at sense 2a
Phrases Containing theoretical
theoretical
adjective
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
Relevance
- hypothetical
- speculative
- conjectural
- academical
- academic
- conceptual
- suppositional
- abstract
- intellectual
- metaphysical
- proposed
- presupposed
- alleged
- presumed
- unproved
- unproven
- supposed
- debatable
- assumed
- nonempirical
- moot
- untested
- nonclinical
- nonpractical
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- actual
- practical
- real
- factual
- clinical
- concrete
- definite
- empirical
- distinct
- defined
- demonstrated
- observational
- empiric
- confirmed
- proven
- validated
- substantiated
- tested
- established
- verified
- attested
- authenticated
- time-tested
- nontheoretical
- nonspeculative
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
- metaphysical
- conceptual
- hypothetical
- speculative
- abstract
- intellectual
- notional
- mental
- ideal
- spiritual
- ideational
- conjectural
- cosmic
- romantic
- transcendental
- cosmical
- immaterial
- utopian
- nonphysical
- nonmaterial
- intangible
- impractical
- invisible
- incorporeal
- insubstantial
- unsubstantial
- imperceptible
- ethereal
- visionary
- transcendent
- unreal
- impalpable
- insensible
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- concrete
- physical
- substantial
- tangible
- material
- actual
- sensible
- real
- observable
- appreciable
- discernible
- definite
- perceptible
- visible
- factual
- noticeable
- distinct
- detectable
- nonabstract
- palpable
- defined
- discernable