in theory

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hypothetic adj.
speculative 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 the abstract instanced intelle

ADJECTIVE

speculative

Synonyms

STRONGEST

analytical dangerous experimental hypothetical risky unproved unproven unsubstantiated

WEAK

abstract assumed conceptive dicey formularized hairy hazardous ideal idealized ideological iffy intellectual logical notional philosophical presumed uncertain

Antonyms

STRONGEST

proven safe

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 the abstract 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 the abstract 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 theory

School used to be, in theory, the one place a young person got to stay illegible.

From Slate ● Aug. 21, 2026

This is where police and organisers use motorbikes and cars to ensure the road is clear at certain junctions and temporarily enforce a closure in theory until all competitors have passed through.

From BBC ● Aug. 15, 2026

Then, in theory, you could always borrow money if you needed extra cash.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 14, 2026

One of these was a harpsichord proposed in 1725 by Louis Bertrand Castel that, in theory, replaced sounds with colors.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 7, 2026

This idea, consolatory in theory, I felt would be terrible if realised: with all my might I endeavoured to stifle it—I endeavoured to be firm.

From "Jane Eyre" by Charlotte Brontë

in theory

Example Sentences

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