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

While pacing the frontier sounds compelling in theory, some believe these ambiguous definitions and loopholes make a slowdown functionally impossible.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 19, 2026

CVS’s agents are even “aging” so they will in theory mimic the way human preferences change over time and in response to the world.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 15, 2026

Now, critics are left to clash with influencers as they struggle to maintain access that could, in theory, help them continue to get jobs.

From Salon ● Sep. 9, 2026

Scientists had previously predicted an in-plane anomalous Hall effect in theory, but no experiment had successfully demonstrated it before this work.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 3, 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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