in the abstract

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hypothetic adj.
theoretic adj.
theoretical adj.

ADJECTIVE

hypothetic

Synonyms

WEAK

abstract academic analytical as a premise assumed codified conjectural contingent formalistic formularized general hypothetical ideal idealized ideational ideological imaginative impractical in theory instanced intelle

ADJECTIVE

theoretic

Synonyms

WEAK

abstract academic analytical as a premise assumed codified conjectural contingent formalistic formularized general hypothetic hypothetical ideal idealized ideational ideological imaginative impractical in theory instanced intellectual logical metaphysical notional on paper pedantic philosophical postulated presumed problematical pure quixotic speculative suppositional tentative transcendent transcendental unearthly unproved unsubstantiated vague

ADJECTIVE

theoretical

Synonyms

STRONGEST

abstract academic analytical imaginative intellectual logical metaphysical philosophical speculative vague

WEAK

as a premise assumed codified conjectural contingent formalistic formularized general ideal idealized ideational ideological impractical in theory instanced notional on paper pedantic postulated presumed problematical pure quixotic suppositional tentative transcendent transcendental unearthly unproved unsubstantiated

Antonyms

STRONGEST

concrete ignorant illogical material objective physical real simple

WEAK

certain definite factual proven

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

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in the abstract

Pollock, who died in 1956, was a major figure in the abstract expressionist art movement.

From BBC ● May 19, 2026

Almost any explanation can be labeled race neutral in the abstract.

From Slate ● Apr. 10, 2026

And I always thought about that in the abstract, but now I try to make the movies not only about the moment I’m in, but about me.

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 19, 2025

“If you just ask people in the abstract, ‘Why wouldn’t you trust AI to make your disputes?’ they automatically think, ‘Well, why would I throw my dispute into ChatGPT?’ ” says McCormack.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 13, 2025

The danger which he presented was, after all, not immediate but slow and simmering, a sort which can, at least in the abstract, be postponed or diverted in any number of ways.

From "The Secret History" by Donna Tartt

in the abstract

Example Sentences

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