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

What inflicts the damage is not so much plausibility in the abstract as repetition inside intimacy.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 14, 2026

Black and Indigenous Americans, labor organizers, immigrants, queer people, political dissidents, abuse survivors, and countless others have discovered that rights celebrated in the abstract can evaporate when exercised against the wrong forces.

From Slate ● Jun. 4, 2026

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

From BBC ● May 19, 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

Lawrence had spent a difficult year cadging money from philanthropists and foundations for a proton accelerator, the purpose of which had to be explained to them in the abstract terms of basic science.

From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik

in the abstract

Example Sentences

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