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View synonyms for

theoretical

[ thee-uh-ret-i-kuhl ]

adjective

  1. of, relating to, or consisting in theory; not practical ( applied ).
  2. existing only in theory; hypothetical.
  3. given to, forming, or dealing with theories; speculative.


theoretical

/ ˌθɪəˈrɛtɪkəl; ˌθɪəˈrɛtɪk /

adjective

  1. of or based on theory
  2. lacking practical application or actual existence; hypothetical
  3. using or dealing in theory; impractical
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Derived Forms

  • ˌٳˈپ, adverb
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Other Word Forms

  • ٳ····· adverb
  • ·پ·ٳ···· adjective
  • ԴDz·ٳ··· adjective
  • ԴDz·ٳ···· adjective
  • ܲ·ٳ··· adjective
  • ܲ·ٳ···· adjective
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Word History and Origins

Origin of theoretical1

First recorded in 1610–20; theoretic, from Late Latin ٳōŧپܲ, from Greek ٳōŧپó, equivalent to ٳōŧ(ó) “to be seen” (verbal adjective derived from ٳōî “to view”) + -ikos -ic; -al 1
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Compare Meanings

How does theoretical compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

To be sure, Trump is an exceedingly dangerous loser, one with immense military and economic power under his theoretical control.

From

His concerns about water are more than theoretical.

From

Monday’s New Shepard expedition reminded me of another theoretical concept, the Total Perspective Vortex.

From

But that threat seems to have diminished for now, the funding perhaps more theoretical than real.

From

But the first sector of the lap had been resurfaced and that led to degradation being low, so they had lost one of their theoretical advantages over their rivals.

From

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theoretictheoretically